Cabinet to discuss Sandy reports today

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

The Cabinet is today expected to discuss the preliminary reports on the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Jamaica was hit by the category one storm last Wednesday resulting in flooding and damage to infrastructure in eastern parishes.

A day after, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller instructed various government agencies to submit urgent reports on the displacement as well as recovery plans.

Already, the Agriculture Ministry has reported a $1 billion bill for the sector, while the Education Ministry says damage to schools is around $120 million.

The Prime Minister has expressed optimism that Jamaica will be able to overcome the setbacks caused by the hurricane.

She also said members of the international community have already offered to help Jamaica.

Ronald Jackson, the director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, says relief items are being airlifted to the worst affected communities in the hilly interior the battered parishes of Portland, St Mary, St Thomas and St Andrew.

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