KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has received US$1 million in resources and cash to assist ongoing Hurricane Melissa recovery and humanitarian efforts.

The donation, from the JN Foundation in partnership with Lutheran World Relief, comprises US$416,000 and 545 disaster relief kits containing quilts, educational materials, baby-care and personal-care items, among other things.

The support will be channelled through the Poor Relief Department to infirmaries and drop-in centres.

Addressing the handover on Tuesday, June 30, at the Ministry’s Hagley Park Road offices in Kingston, portfolio Minister, Desmond McKenzie, expressed gratitude.

He said that the contribution will support State-operated institutions that were adversely impacted by the hurricane, including infirmaries in Trelawny, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth.

“I am grateful to receive [this donation] on behalf of the Poor Relief Department and its practitioners. All our infirmaries across the island will be able to benefit from your kind generosity,” he noted.

General Manager of JN Foundation, Claudine Allen, in her remarks, said that the items will bring immediate benefit to some 30,000 people.

“The kits are designed to provide basic needs of babies, children and adults – items that will preserve dignity and bring a little comfort to those who are most in need,” she noted.

Allen announced that the JN Foundation will be assisting the Trelawny Infirmary in Falmouth.

“We are happy to share that the Trelawny infirmary where we saw first-hand the devastation, we will be able to channel $1.25 million to help in procuring equipment,” she informed.

The funding will support the purchase of hospital beds, bedside tables, lockers and a double door refrigerator for the infirmary.

-JIS