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(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government were in Jamaica first thing Thursday morning on a Cayman Airways flight escorting essential goods for the community there. Jamaica has been devastated by the passage of Hurricane Melissa the strongest storm in the islands history and one of the third biggest storms on record when it passed directly over the island on Tuesday. Officials said the CIG was standing in solidarity with the people of Jamaica and will provide swift relief to the island. Premier André Ebanks led the delegation, which included government ministers Jay Ebanks and Nickolas DaCosta as well as opposition leader Joey Hew, other government officials and personnel from Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), who coordinated the delivery of the supplies in partnership with the Jamaican authorities. In total the government is donating US$1.2million worth of goods. Cayman Airways flew the delegation aboard a chartered B737-8 jet and was the first relief flight to land there. The supply mission was coordinated based on discussions with the Jamaican government following their preliminary needs assessment. The items included medical supplies, generators, meals ready to eat, tarpaulins, first aid kits and mattresses, among other things. Speaking at the Jamaica Information Services press briefing Cayman’s premier emphasised the ties between our countries and Cayman’s own experience with Hurricane Ivan when Jamaica was there for Cayman. “So, we pushed aside our usual state business and got on the first flight that we could to pledge our support, ” he said. “We have brought over an initial round of about US$200,000 essential supplies. We also have pledged, and I have written a letter signed by myself to your Prime Minister of about US$1.2 million dollars of essential supplies and resources we will have shipped directly to Jamaica. On behalf of myself and the Government ministers who are here, and the Leader of the Opposition, Cayman stands with Jamaica,” he told the TV audience. Dr Joseph Marzouca Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to the Cayman Islands, HMCI, CAL, along with other Cayman Islands Government agencies, and the medical community including Health Services Authority, Doctors Hospital and Health City Cayman Islands were all part of the quick response with donations of the much-needed supplies. Meanwhile, across Cayman various other organizations, charities and churches are also pulling together supplies in preparation to send to the neighbouring island. Former veteran politician and premier McKeeva Bush hosted a meeting at the Tortuga main bakery in George Town Thursday night to also help with the coordination efforts. For accurate information and to support Cayman’s Hurricane relief efforts, visit caymanprepared.ky/melissarelief.
