Above: Jamaica PM Portia Simpson Miller
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller addressed the nation Thursday night following Hurricane Sandy, which led to one death in the country.
Jamaica was still showing visible signs of flooding and blocked roads, with evidence of widespread damage to small farms and crops, she said.
“The nation must be thankful that once again we have been spared the worst,” she said. “I thank the Almighty for his protection of our nation.”
Simpson Miller went on an aerial tour Thursday of sections of parishes including St Thomas, Portland, St Mary and St Catherine, which she said were among those that had seen the most damage.
The PM instructed various agencies to deliver their reports by Friday with their priorities for recovery. Those strategies will be considered at the next cabinet meeting on Monday.
“I wish to express my gratitude to the Jamaican people for caring for each other and especially for the children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and the vulnerable among us, during the passage of Hurricane Sandy,” she said. “I also thank teams from the disaster response agencies, and other essential service personnel for their dedication to duty displayed during the passage of the storm.”
Simpson Miller said representatives from the international community, including Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had inquired about what they could do to help in Jamaica’s recovery.
“I know these are challenging times, but, as we have done in the past, we will draw on the indomitable spirit, strength, courage, determination and resilience of our people to unite and to work together to get through this challenging period,” she said.
Jamaica’s two main airports, Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport, are now open, and have resumed flight service.
All of Jamaica’s ports are also operational