Jamaica has launched its Gustav Recovery Fund with a $20M contribution from Supreme Ventures Ltd.

The funds have been earmarked for assisting with the rebuilding of houses destroyed by tropical storm Gustav in late August.  An account to facilitate donations from the Diaspora and from Jamaican corporate entities has been set up at the National Commercial Bank. Funds can also be channeled through money transfer companies, Western Union and Moneygram. 

In welcoming the contribution to the fund by SVL, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Government’s approach is to rebuild and restore as quickly as possible. Government had already received offers of assistance from bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners and the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be meeting with these partners to secure further assistance. 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been collecting data and capturing information to see how quickly Government can provide assistance to those most seriously affected. Mr. Golding expressed Government’s appreciation for the donation from SVL which he noted was not solicited but that the company had demonstrated its concern as a good corporate citizen which benefits from the support of the general public. 

Executive Director of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Mr. Ronald Jackson, echoed the sentiments of Prime Minister Golding, noting that the SVL has again demonstrated its concern to engage in disaster management as a long term programme. He called on the rest of corporate Jamaica to partner with the organization in providing both cash and kind to assist the many displaced victims of Tropical Storm Gustav. 

Deputy Chairman of SVL, Ian Levy, who presented the cheque to PM Golding said J$10million will be disbursed this week and the balance of J$10M in cash and supplies would be disbursed in November. He said the SVL is proud to continue the tradition of rising to the call when the nation needs help.

Over the next few days the agencies involved in the recovery process will be assessing the damage done throughout the hardest hit parishes of St Thomas and Portland.