Shelter for the homeless in Portland

Arrangements are being made to provide accommodation for approximately 20 homeless people in Portland at the Portland Rehabilitation Center in Port Antonio ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Beryl.

Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson on Tuesday told an emergency meeting involving various stakeholders that preparations are far advanced to provide accommodation to the street people, which he said also comprise persons of unsound mind.

According to Thompson, the Portland Municipal Corporation with support from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the police, Red Cross, the Jamaica Defence Force, and the fire brigade, are ensuring that those living on the streets are guaranteed a place of safety during the passage of the hurricane. 

Meantime, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is cautioning persons living in informal settlements and on river banks in Portland to take the necessary precautions to vacate their homes in the event that conditions becomes worse ahead of the storm.

And ODPEM is also cautioning residents living in low-lining and flood-prone areas of the parish to be on the alert to relocate to a place of safety should their homes and property come under threat from strong gusty winds and rising waters. 

Some 77 disaster shelters are in Portland, and according to Thompson, each will be stocked with food, water, blankets, flashlight, toiletries, medical kits, and other emergency supplies.

Thompson said that the shelters will be activated shortly.

- Gareth Davis Snr

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