Parish disaster committees have been activated in preparation for the possible impact of Hurricane Matthew on the island.

Addressing an emergency meeting of Members of Parliament (MPs) and heads of relevant agencies at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said meetings have been convened at various levels to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to co-ordinate services in response to the storm, which yesterday increased to Category Four strength.

McKenzie said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the parish councils will be provided with the necessary supplies for distribution if required.

The minister noted that parish councils have also been advised that funds from the Parochial Revenue Fund can be utilised to assist with social security services.

“We are insisting that whatever is needed to ensure that we minimise the extent of the effect of the hurricane must be done,” he said.

He implored citizens to heed all warnings related to the storm.

“It is important that I make the point that when the call is made for persons to evacuate, for persons to seek safe ground, that those persons take the necessary precautions,” he said.

Director general of the ODPEM, Major Clive Davis, reported that the agency is in a state of readiness following the meeting of the National Response Team on Thursday.

The team includes the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Ministry of Health, National Solid Waste Management Authority, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the National Works Agency.

Major Davis said that contact has been made with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, which stands ready to assist.

He noted that the parish disaster mechanisms have been triggered and emergency shelters have also been checked and assessed.

In Portland, the disaster committee meeting received reports from National Works Agency (NWA), National Water Commission, police, fire, health, and Red Cross officials on their state of readiness.

Portland Western Member of Parliament and minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister Daryl Vaz told the committee that two trailers will be located in Buff Bay and Port Antonio with relief items.

He pointed out that funds allocated to MPs ($1 million) should be utilised and asked that the NWA starts drain cleaning immediately.

– Additional reporting Everard Owen