ODPEM conducting assessments for relocation

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management ODPEM, is now conducting an assessment to determine if persons living in the community of Pumpkin Bottom in Hanover should be relocated.

Several houses were destroyed on Thursday after the Maggotty River overflowed its banks during heavy rains.

ODPEM’s Director General Ronald Jackson says while the agency notes the call for those residents to be relocated, a thorough assessment must first be done before such a decision is made.

He says assessments are also being done in regard to the relocation of residents in north-eastern parishes who were displaced following the passage of Hurricane Sandy on October 24.

Jackson says based on the assessment of the vulnerabilities and a hazard analysis, a recommendation would be made to the government for relocation if that’s considered the best move.

In the meantime, he says the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s final report on the number of Jamaicans to benefit from post Hurricane Sandy relief should be completed by the end of today:

He says housing priority will be given to those persons who are still in emergency shelters.

About 22 persons were still being housed at the community centre in Manchioneal Portland.

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