MINISTER of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie has declared that the Disaster Emergency Communication System proved effective in Wednesday as the island was buffeted by Hurricane Beryl.

According to McKenzie, the system, which was developed by the Government of Jamaica in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), allowed emergency responders to concentrate their efforts in those areas where these were urgently needed.

“We saw earlier on where information has been coming into the radio system about events taking place, and we were able to communicate in a meaningful way,” said McKenzie as he pointed out that the technology placed the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in a good position.

Pointing to the anticipated increase in severe weather events from climate change, McKenzie said the Government’s investment in the national disaster resilience infrastructure remains a top priority with the National Disaster Fund now more than $500 million.

“This is just a portion. We have the bonds, the various insurance policies that the Government has… that [will help] to safeguard us,” added McKenzie as he noted that the Government’s overseas partners also stand ready to assist.

“There are the entities that [have indicated] they are willing to come in to help. Help is necessary. But I want to say that we are in a better place as a country to respond to disasters, and that has been demonstrated during the last couple of days into today [Wednesday],” McKenzie said.