Press Release

USAID provides US$5 million for Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery

Kingston | Friday, February 20, 2009

February 19, 2009. USAID/Jamaica provided the Ministries of Agriculture and Education with US$5 million toward the Tropical Storm Gustav recovery effort. The Ministries of Agriculture and Education participated in signing ceremonies symbolizing the partnership between the agencies and USAID/Jamaica to: boost agriculture productivity, repair rural roads and rehabilitate approximately 40 schools in the parishes that sustained the greatest damage.   Though Gustav affected Jamaica as a tropical storm in August 2008, the national emergency office estimated millions in damages.

This support to the Gustav recovery effort primarily targets the worst-hit parishes of Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary and St. Andrew. The U.S. government previously supported the Gustav relief effort by donating US$300,000 in relief commodities to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in September 2008. U.S.G resources also helped ODPEM to provide transportation for aerial damage assessments and relief distribution to marooned communities.