93 Hurricane Melissa evacuees remain in eight schools, Education Ministry reports

There are currently eight schools that are still being used as shelters in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, housing a total of 93 people.

The update was provided this morning by Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, during a press briefing.

Troupe highlighted that these numbers have been significantly reduced over time, and that the Ministry is working with schools and shelterees to facilitate their decommissioning.

“The reality is we have had a very difficult time in our country and we have got to support the recovery process for the people of this country. The people who we are helping at shelters are parents and relatives of the children in our schools. They are relatives of teachers who work in our schools,” she said.

“So they are not strangers to the community. They are people that the school community knows. So, we are grateful that as a ministry, we can support our people of this country who are in need at such a time like this,” she added.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association has been pressing for the removal of shelterees from school compounds, arguing that the continued shelter occupancy raises safety concerns, undermines public confidence and hampers learning recovery.

It also expressed frustration over what it said were repeated missed deadlines for relocation.

Troupe, however, stated that the Ministry understands the need for access to schools, and stressed that inter-ministerial efforts under way are to ensure that this is achieved “in the shortest possible time”.

“But we must tell Jamaica that the Ministry of Education cares. We want to know that our relatives are safe. We want to know that we can support the recovery of the people who impact our learning environment,” she said.

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28 last year, killing at least 45 persons and causing widespread destruction of homes and businesses, particularly in western parishes.

Data from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management on March 2 showed that 43 shelters were housing 293 people.

- Sashana Small

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