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Jamaica Benefits from Response Operations
after Hurricane Dean
Following
an appeal after Hurricane Dean, PAHO received funds to support emergency needs
in the health sector in Jamaica. These included the areas of coordination, epidemiological
surveillance and repair of health facilities.
As part of the activities funded by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
Assistance five members of the regional response team were deployed to provide
support to the PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica to deliver technical cooperation
to the Ministry of Health. The team included two LSS/SUMA experts, one epidemiologist,
one water and sanitation engineer and the sub-regional advisor for disaster
reduction.
The team installed LSS/SUMA at several locations, and trained ten staff members
in LSS/SUMA; provided support to prepare rapid needs assessment for water, solid
waste, sanitation and health infrastructure; provided support in the analysis
of epidemiological data and revision of shelter reporting methodology; provided
support in coordination among the different international actors; assisted with
mobilization of resources to support disaster recovery; and provided assistance
to ODPEM for the coordination and distribution of water to the most affected
areas. Continuing activities will focus on the areas of epidemiological surveillance
and health surveillance (with emphasis on replacement of damaged equipment).
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The European Union provided a grant to fund relief activities, including a rehabilitation project for the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston, which sustained severe damaged during Hurricane Dean. The project will provide emergency repairs to three damaged wards, painting of the reconstructed areas, and replacement of damaged equipment. These repairs will provide patients and staff more comfortable and efficient facilities. Bellevue is the only psychiatric hospital in Jamaica, with a record of excellence in the field. It is expected that the repairs and reinforcement efforts will help the facility lessen the impact of future storms, and withstand force winds of up to Category 4 hurricanes.