A cargo shipment of medical supplies, tarpaulins, and other essential non-food items from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reached Jamaica yesterday, to help people affected by the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.
MSF emergency teams arrived in Jamaica last weekend and are actively assessing the most imminent needs, including in remote areas where people have been completely cut off due to road damage. They are also assessing the extensive damage to regional hospitals and health care centers.
MSF teams will start working in St. James Parish and in St. Elisabeth Parish in the west area of Jamaica.
Activities in St. James parish
MSF will focus on the regional hospital of Cornwall, helping to repair the severe damage to its roof, operating theater, and maternity department, as well as restore water access. Where necessary, our team will provide medical supplies to the hospital and health care centers in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the hospital’s management. Also in St. James parish, MSF will work in three health care centers to provide water and address the needs of the community.
Activities in St. Elisabeth parish
MSF will support three health centers and temporary health points providing distribution of medical supplies, water and sanitation, and logistical support. We will provide water trucking to vulnerable communities; increase water storage capabilities; and distribute water filters, hygiene kits, jerrycans, drum covers, mosquito nets, kitchen kits, and plastic sheeting.
In remote areas of St. Elisabeth parish, MSF teams have provided basic psychosocial support to people and offered internet connections so people cut off from networks can connect with their relatives.
On November 5, MSF began water trucking to provide clean water to people in the remote area of Slipe, St. Elisabeth parish.
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