The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says it has created logistical cells to harness agencies, including customs, Airport Authority and the Jamaica Defence Force, to ensure smooth operations for the clearance and distribution of relief supplies.

“[This is] to ensure that whenever we are getting in supplies coming into the country , and we know that we will have a lot of commitments coming in from overseas, we will have enough hands on board and a very well put together plan to ensure that when supplies are in country they are not backing up at the ports,” said acting Director General of ODPEM Richard Thompson during a press briefing on Tuesday as the hurricane moved away from Jamaica.

Thompson said the main airports and seaports are to be monitored to ensure relief is quick to reach the vulnerable.

“One of the things that can stall your relief distribution is when your goods come in and they end up in a bottleneck at the ports,” he said.

Another ‘cell’ with strategically placed individuals will be assigned to damage assessment to direct where relief is most needed.

“Jamaica has gone through what I can describe as one of our worst periods, our infrastructure has been severely compromised…The entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa,” said Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie.

He added, “As soon as the [opportunity] presents itself, the team will be out on the road to start the assessment, and to make available to the various communities the various relief supplies that are necessary to start the recovery process. We are on standby, everything is ready.”