Jamaica

JAIAICA 3. Disaster Preparedness and Assistance
3.10 Voluntary Agencies
After a period of recession, voluntary agencies in Jamaica are
reemerging as a powerful and effective resource for disaster preparedness
and relief. Through the cooperative efforts of ODP and the leading
voluntary agencies, the voluntary services sector has established a
Disaster Planning Committee which meets every month. Represented at the
meetings are the Jamaican Red Cross, the Girl Guides, Catholic Relief
Services, Seventh-day Adventist World Service, the Salvation Army, the
Caribbean Conference of Churches, the Hyacinthe Lightbourne Nursing
Society, the Boy Scouts, the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade, the Jamaica
Combined Cadet Force, and the Council on Voluntary Social Services, an
umbrella organization representing approximately 50 voluntary agencies
(YMCA, Women's Federation, Royal Lifesaving Society, etc.). These
organizations are working together to develop a coordinated plan for
voluntary agency support during a disaster, by identifying their respective
resources and assuming and allocating responsibilities accordingly. They
are initiating training programs for themselves and their respective
memberships, providing forums for disaster awareness presentations, and
mobilizing their constituencies to be ready to assist in a time of
emergency.
ODP is working closely with these voluntary agencies to support their
planning efforts at the national level, and encourage expanded activity,
recruitment, and.training at the parish level.
The following is a list of local voluntary agencies with contact
persons and telephone numbers where available:
Jamaica Red Cross
Yvonne Clarke, Franklin Smith
76 Arnold Road
Kingston 5
Tel: 809/926-7861
Catholic Relief Services
Donald L. Carcieri, Program Director
10 Emerlad Road
Kingston 4
Tel: 809/922-4309
Council of Voluntary Social Services
Miss Elsie Sayle
Church World Services
Caribbean Conference of Churches
Celina Tapper
P.O. Box 527
Kingston 10
Tel: 809/926-7007
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