JAMAICA on Thursday received approximately 1,500 packages of relief supplies from the Cayman Islands to assist people severely impacted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The supplies, valued at more than US$200,000, were delivered by the premier of the Cayman Islands André Ebanks, and received by Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams, at the Norman Manley International Airport.

“From our standpoint the Cayman Islands has a very deep history and heritage with Jamaica…We have our own experience with Hurricane Ivan [2004] and Jamaica was there for Cayman,” Ebanks said during a media briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre in New Kingston on Thursday.

Ebanks, who led a team from the Cayman Islands which included Opposition Leader Joseph Hew, said they pushed aside State business to get on the first flight heading into Jamaica so they could deliver essential supplies and pledge their support to island.

“We also have pledged…about US$1.2 million of goods, essential supplies and resources that we will have shipped directly to Jamaica,” added Ebanks as he reiterated that “Cayman stands with Jamaica”.

The donation included cleaning supplies, tools, hygiene products, generators, batteries, among other essential items.

In accepting the donation Williams expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.

“We are delighted to have the premier head a delegation here today in Jamaica, just a day after Hurricane Melissa devastated, especially, the western part of our country,” said Williams.

“We are so grateful for the items that they brought us. Everything mentioned – hygiene products, generators, and so on, are going to be used to help immediately with the restoration. So, thank you again [and] please take our thanks back to the people of Cayman,” added Williams.