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HURRICANE IVAN
NEWS BULLETINS
INCLUDING HURRICANES EMILY AND KATRINA UPDATE
Hurricane
KATRINA News and Bulletins
In
pictures: Hurricane Katrina
France
team page | Italy
team page | Tale
of the tape: how France and Italy match up | World
Cup final by the numbers | Zidane's
last stand | The
new Italy | History
of the World Cup
Death
toll rises amid the devastation
August 31: The death toll from Hurricane Katrina was expected to soar
above 100 as more bodies washed up in US Gulf coast cities yesterday in one of
the worst natural disasters America has faced in decades.
For
many, misery starts in Katrina's wake
August 31: Levee breaks, bringing more death to New Orleans.
$26bn
and counting: insurers face one of their biggest payouts
August 31: Insurance groups worldwide were yesterday facing the prospect
of multibillion-dollar claims in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Oil
hits fresh high as Katrina wreaks havoc
August 31: Traders panic in London and New York after hurricane shuts
rigs and refineries across the Gulf of Mexico.
US
poverty figure rises for 4th year
August 31: The number of Americans living below the poverty line rose for
the fourth successive year during 2004, extending the gap between rich and poor
in the world's wealthiest nation.
Bush
is the real threat
August 31, Tony Benn: Now that the US president has announced that he has
not ruled out an attack on Iran, if it does not abandon its nuclear programme,
the Middle East faces a crisis that could dwarf even the dangers arising from
the war in Iraq.
Ted
Radcliffe
August 31, obituary: A key figure in the segregated Negro League baseball
of 1930s and 40s America.
Insurers
count the cost of Katrina
August 30: Hurricane Katrina will be the costliest single event for
insurers since the September 11 attacks, companies predicted today.
Newsblog:
'This is the real deal'
30.08.05:
Katrina death toll 'rises to 80'
30.08.05:
Fears of flash floods
30.08.05:
'The whole damn city is under water'
30.08.05:
High winds bring threat of 'storm surge' waves
30.08.05:
Oil prices close to record as Katrina shuts down production
Hurricane
lashes New Orleans
August 29: One of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the US in living
memory was today over New Orleans as forecasters and and emegency services
warned that gusts of up to 125mph and possible 15ft storm surges could leave the
city devastated.
29.08.05:
New Orleans orders 3m to flee as hurricane nears
29.08.05, in
pictures: Hurricane Katrina
Interactive
guide: hurricanes explained
|
2005 |
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2008 |
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2010 |
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Arlene |
Alberto |
Andrea |
Arthur |
Ana |
Alex |
Saturday
July 16th 2005, St. George’s:
Following the devastation caused to
The
estimates suggest that over 3000 houses were damaged or destroyed by Emily. The
agricultural sector wiped out because of the combined effects of the heavy rain
and wind. Several public buildings including hospitals, health centres and homes
for the aged have also been severely damaged.
In
light of the devastation caused by both Ivan and Emily and the cumulative impact
this is having on the economy and people of
MIAMI, USA: Hurricane Emily lashed Grenada and headed west Thursday, packing nearly 100-mile-per-hour winds and gathering strength, the US National Hurricane Center said Thursday.
According to our correspondent in Grenada, one person has been reported killed in a landslide. Some structural damage has also been reported in Grenada, where 50,000 people remain without permanent homes 10 months after Hurricane Ivan.
The Minister of National Security has declared a state of emergency and a 7pm to 6am curfew is in effect. The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) said at a press conference held on Tuesday that it will not be business as usual.
The full force of the law will be brought to bear on persons found outdoors during the hours of the curfew, and that only essential service persons will be allowed on the streets. The police indicated that there will be zero tolerance for law breakers.
According to other local reports, serious damage has been inflicted on many parts of the island, further exacerbating the difficulties left over from Hurricane Ivan last September.
Hardest hit areas are reported to be in the parish of St. Andrew’s where houses lost roofs. A number of houses in the northern parish of St. Patrick’s have also been reported damaged. The eastern town of Grenville is reported to be flooded.
The roof of the operating theatre of Grenada’s main general hospital was also blown off.
Petit Martinique and Carriacou also received a heavy pounding with many structures being damaged or destroyed, including the hospital in Carriacou, which lost part of its roof, necessitating the removal of patients to another section of the building. Part of the roof of the police station in Petit Martinique was reportedly blown off.
At 11 am EDT Thursday, the center of Hurricane Emily was located near latitude 12.7 north, longitude 64.0 west or about 560 miles southeast of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Emily is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds have increased and are now near 100 mph, with higher gusts. Emily is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
Emily is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across portions of the Windward Islands, northern Venezuela and the Netherlands Antilles, with possible isolated amounts of 12 inches over mountainous terrain. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Rainfall over the Windward Islands will be decreasing Thursday.
According to Forecaster Franklin, .the hurricane will be moving over waters of increasingly high oceanic heat content for the next couple of days. Thus, additional strengthening seems likely.
The government of the Dominican Republic has issued a tropical storm watch from Punta Salinas westward to the Dominican Republic/Haiti border.
The government of Haiti has issued a tropical storm watch from the Dominican Republic/Haiti border to Port-au-Prince.
The government of Trinidad has discontinued the tropical storm warning.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the northern coast of Venezuela from Pedernales westward to Punto Fijo, including Isla Margarita and the offshore islands north of the coast and west of Cumana.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Bonaire, Curaçao and Aruba
The
Minister of Tourism Travels
Friday
27th May 2005, St. George’s: Ministers of
Tourism in the region have recognized the need for preparedness and a structured
plan for the future survival of the tourism sector in the
The
symposium is being held at this time because of the upcoming hurricane season
and the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in
The
symposium is hosted by the regional Ministries of Tourism in conjunction with
the Barbados Central Emergency Relief Organization (CERO), the Barbados Tourism
Authority (BTA) and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).
GRENADA : POST-HURRICANE IVAN SOFT LOAN SCHEME FOR HOUSE RECONSTRUCTION LAUNCHED
The Post Hurricane Ivan Soft Loan Scheme for House Reconstruction was launched today Wednesday April 6th at the Housing Authority Building at Marine Villa on the Carenage in St George's.
The scheme was formally launched by the Minister Responsible for Housing, the Honourable Yoland Bain Joseph. Other government officials attending the ceremony were Mr. Simeon Collins, Chairman of the Emergency Housing Committee, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Veda Bruno Victor and special loans co-coordinator Mr. David Lander
The highlight of the launch was the handing over of cheques to the first 15 beneficiaries under the Scheme.
The Scheme implemented by the Emergency Housing Committee and administered by the Housing Authority of Grenada, is part of Government’s Recovery Housing Programme, one of the main priority areas of the reconstruction process.
The Scheme provides:
· Maximum loan amount of EC $ 40,000
· Repayment period of up to 10 years.
· An optional grace period of up to one year.
· Interest rate of 3%
The Scheme is aimed at enabling employed and self employed home owners who did not receive any significant humanitarian assistance or grants to repair and rebuild their houses.
The Scheme ensures that reconstruction is done in accordance with the Grenada Building Code, by having technical experts inspect each house.
Ministry of Social Development
April 6, 2005
TOURISM
REBOUNDS FROM HURRICANE
WITH
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR 2005/06
April 10, 2005
Following
a very active hurricane season, which included the deadly category four
Hurricane Ivan, which hit the island in September last year, the tourism sector
remains a very active and buoyant one with even brighter prospects for 2005/06.
This
is according to State Minister for Industry and Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill. In
a recent JIS Interview, Dr. McNeill says that one of the good things to
come out of Hurricane Ivan is improvement in the tourism product, as properties
were able to overhaul their properties.
“A
lot of the properties that were going to be refurbished, because we have been
having good season for the last two years, they have not had a chance to do
heavy overhauling of their properties, so one of the things that we found is
that a lot of properties took the opportunity to really refurbish and make some
meaningful changes,” he points
out.
He
says that up to September 2004, the targeted eight per cent increase in arrivals
was on track and despite the setback caused by Hurricane Ivan, a little over
half of that target was met. “This
is pretty remarkable when you consider that there was an increase over a good
year, even though there was a hurricane”.
Most
of the damage to the industry, although not extensive, was concentrated in the
south and western side of the island.
Meanwhile,
the State Minister says that the 2005 season has started off “phenomenally
well”, with excellent arrival figures for spring break.
“We
are set to see the targeted 8 per cent growth for this year. All in all, we had
a setback from Ivan, but we make the best of a bad situation, in that we used it
for a good purpose and it will enhance us as we move forward.”
Stopover
arrivals to the island increased by 5.5 per cent from January to November 2004,
with 1,278,921 visitors. Of that number, 71 per cent came from the United
States, seven per cent from Canada and 17 per cent from the United Kingdom and
Europe combined.
With
respect to cruise shipping, the same period saw a total of 966,022 cruise
passengers arriving, from 414 cruise calls, which represented a slight decline
in comparison to the similar period in 2003.
Addressing
a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) press conference at Caribbean Marketplace 2005 in
Montego Bay, Dr. McNeill underscored government’s recognition of the
importance of the tourism industry to the island’s economy.
He
made special mention of the Tourism Master Plan, adding that the aim was to make
the tourism product inclusive while development took place. Dr. McNeill further
pointed out that a lot of the infrastructural developments that were taking
place in the country were geared toward tourism development.
Part
of that development process is the implementation of a Tourism Enhancement Fee.
Legislation to pass the fee into law was approved in the House of
Representatives last November. The fee will be paid by incoming airline and
cruise ship passengers where the journey originates outside the island and for
connected matters.
Making
her presentation during the debate, Industry and Tourism Minister, Aloun
Ndombet-Assamba, explained that the fee would be placed into a dedicated fund to
be used for the sole purpose of implementing the recommendations emanating from
the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development.
The
law allows for a tourism enhancement fee of US$10.00 to be charged to incoming
airline passengers and US$2.00 charged to cruise passengers with collection
occurring at the point of sale. In addition, the legislation provides for the
establishment of a management framework for policy and general administration of
the affairs of the Fund and for coordinating the implementation of the various
projects and programmes.
The
Tourism Master Plan was developed to provide a comprehensive framework for the
future development of the island’s tourist industry and aims to achieve growth
based on a sustainable market position. The plan is also aimed at building an
inclusive industry, which was environmentally sustainable and served to enhance
the visitor experience.
Addressing
a meeting of members of the diplomatic corps in January, Minister Assamba noted
that the granting of most approved destination status to Jamaica by China was a
major incentive to the sector, and should significantly open up the country to a
larger market, providing not only a valuable new source of tourism revenue but
also a medium for enriching cross-cultural exchange.
Furthermore,
she said, the introduction of several new attractions, the increase in airlift,
infrastructural improvements, the implementation of the Tourism Master Plan and
other major events, stood to further enhance the development of the sector.
Meanwhile,
at a recent JAMPRO seminar, Dr. McNeill made note of the substantial tourism
investment plans, which would see the addition of as many as 10,000 rooms to the
local accommodation stock over the next five years.
This,
he said, meant “considerable urgency in the pursuit of quantum improvement
in economic linkages for tourism if the island is to capitalize on this window
of opportunity and maximize the effect of foreign direct investment”.
Last
month, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) confirmed that international tourist
arrivals had reached an all-time high of 760 million in 2004, an increase of 10
per cent over 2003. According to the WTO, growth was common to all regions with
Asia and the Pacific leading the standings with some 29 per cent increase in
arrivals.
Dr. McNeill observed that the strong rebound in the international tourism after nearly three years of stagnant growth, following the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, was reflective of the recovery of the world economy and the return of consumer travel confidence.
NEWS
RELEASE
The
Post Hurricane Ivan Soft Loan Scheme for House Reconstruction was launched today
Wednesday April 6th at the
The
scheme was formally launched by the Minister Responsible for Housing, the
Honourable Yoland Bain Joseph. Other government officials attending the ceremony
were Mr. Simeon Collins, Chairman of the Emergency Housing Committee, Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Veda Bruno Victor and
special loans co-coordinator Mr. David Lander
The
highlight of the launch was the handing over of cheques to the first 15
beneficiaries under the Scheme.
The
Scheme implemented by the Emergency Housing Committee and administered by the
Housing Authority of Grenada, is part of Government’s Recovery Housing
Programme, one of the main priority areas of the reconstruction process.
The
Scheme provides:
·
Maximum loan amount of EC $ 40,000
·
Repayment period of up to 10 years.
·
An optional grace period of up to one year.
·
Interest rate of 3%
The
Scheme is aimed at enabling employed and self employed home owners who did not
receive any significant humanitarian assistance or grants to repair and rebuild
their houses.
The
Scheme ensures that reconstruction is done in accordance with the Grenada
Building Code, by having technical experts inspect each house.
Ministry
of Social Development
April
6, 2005
NEWS
RELEASE
The
Indian community of
The
Ministry subsequently distributed the sheets of galvanize to the
Ministry of
Ministry
of Tourism, Civil, Aviation, Culture and the Performing Arts
21st
of February 2005
OVER
$500 MILLION SECURED FOR
RECOVERY
OF AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Agriculture
Minister, Roger Clarke has said that a total of $502.62 million has been secured
to date, for rehabilitation and restoration activities in the agricultural
sector following Hurricane Ivan.
Of
this amount, $128.5 million has been channeled through the Office of National
Reconstruction (ONR) and $374.12 million through other sources, including the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Jamaica
Business Recovery Programme, which has allocated US$2,941,500 to restore
agricultural businesses to pre-hurricane levels of production.
Mr.
Clarke was responding to questions tabled in the House of Representatives on
February 15 by Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson regarding
the total amount of money received so far to assist farmers affected by the
passage of Hurricane Ivan last September.
Giving
a breakdown of funding through the ONR, Mr. Clarke said that the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) had provided $90 million; Hardware and
Lumber $.5million; Agro-Grace, $12.5 million; Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ),
$20 million and Project East, $5.5 million.
Meanwhile,
other benefits received and not channeled through the ONR include: $288 million
from the European Union (EU); $38.8 million by the Export Division of the
Ministry of Agriculture; $12.2 million provided by the Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO); $24.5 million provided by the Council for Voluntary Social
Services (CVSS)/United Way, through the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); $9.4
million under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Inter-American
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)/Ride to Reef Watershed project
(R2RW); and $1.22 million provided by a Japanese coffee importer, from Ueshima
Coffee Company Limited.
Mr.
Clarke noted that the $208 million being provided by the European Union would
come from funds under the Banana Improvement Programme, while the Export
Division of the Ministry would spend its funds to resuscitate 163,240 pimento
trees on 2,252 hectares (5,630 acres) of land islandwide. This programme is to
begin shortly.
The
FAO programme, which is already underway, will target 6,000 farmers across the
island and will be completed by April. Vegetable seeds and fertilizers are also
provided under the programme. The Agriculture Minister further noted that the
allocation of benefits from CVSS/United Way was being distributed through the
Jamaica Agricultural Society to farmers islandwide. This includes an allocation
of $5.432 million to fisherfolk through the fishing cooperatives.
Meanwhile,
a total of $4.5 million had been allocated to date from funds received from the
USAID and IICA, with each allocating $2.4 million and $2.5 million respectively.
Under this programme, a total of 93 farmers in the parishes of St. Catherine,
Manchester and St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, Westmoreland, Hanover and St. Thomas
have benefited to date.
Mr.
Clarke informed that benefits provided included 315 bags of fertilizer, seeds,
42,425 vegetable seedlings, 44,800 fingerlings, 75 tons of feed and 10 aerators
to aquaculture farmers in St. Catherine and Clarendon, pesticides, herbicides,
irrigation equipment and 30 gilts. Another $4.9 million is available the
Minister said and distribution of supplies would commence shortly.
The
livestock, fishery and horticultural sub sectors and small and medium-sized
enterprises have benefited under the Jamaica Business Recovery Programme.
Mr.
Clarke said the comprehensive programme would “provide new technological
packages, training and materials for the targeted groups with the aim of getting
them back to pre-Hurricane Ivan production levels of production and eventually
moving them beyond in as short a time as possible”.
November 29, 2004: From Grenada GIS.
NEWS
RELEASE
“We
come under the umbrella of peace and help.” With those words, General
Oswaldo Gutierrez, Commander of the Venezuelan International Civic and
Military Brigade for Humanitarian Relief, outlined plans for the construction
of approximately 130 low income houses in
The
Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will donate the
prefabricated homes for a new housing project, to be called the Simon Bolivar
Complex, on approximately 9.5 acres of Crown land at La Calomé, St.
David’s.
“In
correspondence with solidarity and the humanitarian spirit of the people of
Venezuela and the determination of the Government and people of Grenada to
restore normalcy to their lives, we are here today to show you the project of
the low income homes, which President Chavez promised to donate with his wish
to bring relief and peace of mind to some people who lost their homes,”
Ambassador Edna Figuera Cedena said.
Built
to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes, components for the houses will be
prefabricated at a plant in
In
expressing appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada for
the “significant humanitarian contribution,” Minister of Social
Development Yolande Bain Joseph said the location in St. David’s was chosen
because that parish was one of the most severely hit by Hurricane Ivan and
also because of the availability of land.
Minister
Bain Joseph said the Emergency Housing Committee is currently gathering data
to determine eligibility of residents for the new Complex, based on their
vulnerability.
The
land has been surveyed and General Gutierrez said once preparations are
completed for construction and all goes well, the houses could be completed in
approximately six months.
Government
Information Service, November 29, 2004
November 4, 2004: From Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
MIAMI
DADE DONATES
TO
REGIONAL HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORT
Jamaica
has benefited from a donation of construction material and relief supplies from
the Miami Dade City Commission to assist in the post hurricane recovery and
reconstruction efforts.
The
donation, comprising 40,000 pounds of construction material including roof nails
and tarpaulins; bottled water, canned foods, babies’ food and clothing, was
presented to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
on arrival from the Port of Miami.
Similar
donations were shipped to other islands including Haiti, Grenada and the
Bahamas, which were also affected by hurricanes.
The
relief effort was initiated by the members of the City Commission on hearing of
the recent hurricanes, which devastated several Caribbean islands causing
extensive damage to the region.
According
to Commissioner, Dr. Barbara Carey-Schuler, some US$93,000 was allocated for the
acquisition of food and materials while local corporations also contributed to
the effort.
Several
community agencies throughout the County including fire stations, and libraries,
donated space to accept donations from members of the community as they
responded overwhelmingly to the effort.
Other
corporations including Fedex, Seaboard Marine, Port of Miami and Betty Cay
Shipping also rallied to the cause to ship the items to the region.
Jamaica’s
Consul General to Southeast United States and chairperson of the Caribbean
Consular Corp in Miami, Ricardo Allicock, expressed gratitude on behalf of the
islands, emphasizing that several persons stood to benefit from the donation.
Mr.
Allicock praised the South Florida community for its generosity, notwithstanding
their own challenges from hurricane damage during the year.
Attending
the presentation ceremony were several members of the Caribbean Consular Corp as
well as members of the Miami Dade City Commission, and Director of the Port of
Miami, Chuck Towsley.
November 4, 2004: From OECS Secretariat.
PRESS
RELEASE
Bridgetown,
November 4, 2004:
The President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Mr. Paul
Thibault, has been invited to meet
with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Heads of Government at
their meeting in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on Thursday, November 11, 2004.
He will be accompanied by the Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and
the OECS, Mr. Michael Welsh and by CIDA Vice President, Mr. Guillermo
Rishchynski. Mr. Thibault and his
delegation will be travelling to Grenada on Friday, November 12, 2004 to see
first hand the impact Hurricane Ivan has had on the social, economic and
physical infrastructure of the island, and to discuss CIDA’s plans for
continued assistance.
In
October, 2004, Canada announced a contribution of
Cnd $8.1 Million to assist in reconstruction efforts in the Caribbean, of
which Cnd $4.5 Million is earmarked for Grenada. The funds will be used for
economic reconstruction and agricultural recovery.
This followed the Cnd $1.7 M in immediate emergency response provided by
Canada for Grenada and Jamaica, Cuba and other affected countries to the
International Red cross and $65K to purchase emergency relief supplies for the
citizens of Grenada.
During
his meetings with the OECS Heads of Government, Mr. Thibault will take the
opportunity to discuss continuing Canadian assistance to the region. The
President of CIDA and his delegation will also visit Barbados on Friday,
November 12, before returning to Canada.
November 2, 2004: From GIS Grenada.
NEWS
RELEASE
CDB
FULLY BEHIND
RECONSTRUCTION
EFFORTS.
The
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has pledged to make representation for 20
million US dollars in financial support, on
The
money would be used mainly for the construction of low-income housing and a
credit facility for the private sector.
In a meeting today with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, CDB President Dr.
Compton Bourne, says top priority would also be given to
Prime
Minister Mitchell welcomed CDB President Bourne as well as Vice President
Desmond Brunton, indicating that their physical presence provides a moral boost
for
The
Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to the CDB representatives for what
he described as tremendous support under difficult circumstances.
Already
CDB has made available some 27 million US dollars for ongoing and new projects,
as well as a waiver of counterpart financing and has agreed to the payment of
debt-servicing of 8.1 million US dollars until December 2005.
Dr.
Mitchell indicated that pledges for scholarships must be translated into actual
funds to individual students in relevant schools in order to ease the financial
burden on families at this time.
The
CDB President says the Bank continues to seek developmental opportunities, in
which it can offer more assistance to member countries in times of need.
OFFICE
OF THE PRIME MINISTER
November
2, 2004
November 1, 2004: From GIS in Grenada.
PRESS
RELEASE
The
Government of Grenada, mindful of the suffering that many categories of citizens
have endured since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, is taking steps to bring
relief and ease the burden on citizens.
The
Government is particularly concerned that many workers, who already face the
psychological trauma of Hurricane Ivan, along with damages to their homes and
properties, have also had to endure the loss of their jobs and incomes.
Government recognises the need to help ease the burden on such workers and to
help them cope with these new difficulties and the rebuilding of their
livelihoods.
Therefore, Cabinet at its meeting today (November 1, 2004), agreed that Minister
of Labour Claris Charles, Minister of Health Ann David Antoine and
The objective of the meeting will be to develop a formula for assisting workers
who have contributed to the
November 1, 2004
October 31, 2004: From St. Georges, Grenada.
Bringing
joy to Grenada
Sunday,
October 31st 2004
THE JW Memorial
RC Primary School, commonly referred to the as Palmer School, located in the
parish of St George's, is the alma mater of many of Grenada's leaders, including
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.
Although the
school is situated in the parish of St George's, it caters for the entire
island.
The school was
damaged and lost its roof when Hurricane Ivan struck.
Grenada's
Ministry of Education in conjunction with UNICEF sought the assistance of the
military engineers among the Trinidadian soldiers on tour in Grenada and the
Joint Support Group Grenada (JSGG) to repair the school.
The
Engineer squadron of the JSGG responded to the request and took on the task to
put in place a temporary cover for the roof of the building. However, during the
planning phase of this task, the engineers managed to source building material
from the relief supplies and were able to place a permanent roof on the
structure. This exercise started on September 21 and was completed on October 4.
From Grenada GIS: October 28, 2004.
NEWS
RELEASE
Prime
Minister Keith Mitchell leaves
The
Prime Minister, who has been visiting villages throughout the State almost daily
for the past few weeks, is expected to update Prime Minister Arthur and
officials of the three other Governments on progress regarding reconstruction,
as well as outline the immediate and long term needs for reviving the economy,
addressing the social needs and providing much needed assistance for the
recovery process.
A
meeting is also scheduled with officials of the Caribbean Development Bank.
The
Prime Minister, who will be accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Finance Timothy Antoine, returns to
Office of the Prime Minister, October 28, 2004
From Grenada GIS: October 27, 2004.
NEWS
RELEASE
The
Government of India has pledged help in
Counsellor
Chinthapally Rajasekhar of the High Commission of India in Trinidad visited
Prime
Minister Keith Mitchell had also written Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
seeking assistance for agriculture and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Counsellor
Rajaskehar met with the Prime Minister today (October 27) to deliver a letter of
commitment from Prime Minister Singh and to work out the details for the
assistance in agriculture and ICT.
“We are most appreciative of this commitment from
Indian
High Commissioner to Grenada Virendra Gupta, who himself visited Grenada on
October 7 and held discussions with Prime Minister Mitchell and other Government
officials, facilitated these efforts and it is expected that experts from India
will visit Grenada before yearend to provide the technical assistance in ICT and
agriculture.
Office
of the Prime Minister, October 27, 2004
From Grenada GIS: October 27, 2004.
NEWS
RELEASE
Prime
Minister Keith Mitchell convened a meeting this morning with political leaders
to discuss the institutional arrangements for undertaking the reconstruction of
the Country.
Grenada
United Labour Party Political Leader Gloria Payne Banfield and Peoples Labour
Movement Deputy Political Leader Kenny Lalsingh attended the session, while the
Official Opposition National Democratic Congress declined the invitation moments
before the meeting got underway at the Prime Minster’s Office.
Discussions
focussed on the establishment of the Council for Reconstruction and Development,
which will comprise national stakeholders to advise Government on the
reconstruction efforts, giving focus on policy and priorities for development.
Significant attention was given to the Agency for Reconstruction and
Development, which is the body being established to implement the works of
reconstruction. The Prime Minister explained the intended structure of the
Agency, which will comprise economic recovery, social recovery and
infrastructural recovery.
Principal
focus will be on housing, particularly for low income and destitute families,
while at the same time, seeking to ensure that the houses are designed to
withstand hurricane force winds. Prime Minister Mitchell noted that funds for
the Agency and its responsibilities are being secured from donations, friendly
governments and institutions. Plans are underway to inaugurate the Agency early
next month.
On
the matter of staffing, the Prime Minister explained that the Agency would
commence with an interim board in order to facilitate the immediate work of
preparing for the Donor Conference to be held in
The
Prime Minister invited both political parties to make suggestions to him of
suitable professionals who could serve in various categories in the Agency.
Mr.
Lalsingh made particular reference to the issue of looting, noting that this has
happened on four different occasions in
Mrs.
Payne Banfield emphasised that her party is willing to participate fully in the
reconstruction effort.
“We
recognise that there is one Government led by the Prime Minister. You have both
the responsibility and the authority to undertake appropriate activities to
ensure both the reconstruction of the Country and the security of the people,”
she told Prime Minister Mitchell.
The
GULP Political Leader pledged herself to cooperate with the Government of the
day and asked the Prime Minister to ensure the Agency paid particular attention
to the social issues and cultural “the way of life of the people,” underpinning
the importance of positive values that should permeate the minds of our
citizens. Mrs. Payne Banfield highlighted the need to focus on desperate cases,
including the aged, the lonely and female heads of households who face
particular hardship because of the loss of their livelihood. It was agreed that
the neediest cases will receive special priority. In this regard, Government
will support cases identified by the party leaders for immediate assistance.
Office
of the Prime Minister, October 27, 2004
From Grenada GIS: October 27, 2004.
NEWS
RELEASE
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell met this morning (October 27) with representatives
of John Reid and Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd., an international company specialising
in the manufacture of industrial buildings, arenas and other large structures.
Strucsteel Technical Director Rollo Reid, who is based in
Specifically, the company is interested in building a new National Stadium in
time for the 2007 Cricket World Cup according to International Cricket Council
standards, as well as helping with new schools, repairing damaged schools and
other public buildings.
In response to this offer, the Prime Minister said this Country is “ready for
action” and welcomed the keen interest by Strucsteel to become involved in the
rebuilding process, with structures that are hurricane resistant.
The Company representatives are also meeting with officials from the Grenada
National Stadium Authority, the Ministry of
The visit by Strucsteel representatives was coordinated by
Office
of the Prime Minister, October 27, 2004
October 26, 2004: From the University of the West Indies.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has joined the hundreds of organisations
around the world that are assisting in
UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, discussed the University’s initiative with
In addition to previous assistance, UWI is offering technical support in the
areas of Health and
For at least a one-year period, arrangements are available to provide a waiver
of tuition and other fees for Grenadians pursuing studies abroad.
Sir George is concerned about the well-being of the students, and in this
regard, told Prime Minister Mitchell that he would seek to relax the burden on
them by lobbying for international support.
Also, to accommodate improvements in the education system here, Sir George
believes there should be a physical expansion of the University of the
Dr. Mitchell applauded the UWI initiative of providing relief for Grenadian
students in the face of trying circumstances, and praised the
institution’s efforts as very worthwhile in these troubled times.
The Prime Minister noted that UWI already offered to help specifically with
Grenada’s ongoing reformation of Secondary and Tertiary
OFFICE
OF THE PRIME MINSITER
October
26, 2004
October 20, 2004: From Punjab News.
Hurricane
Ivan Drenches Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Churns toward Florida
Publish
Date : 10/20/2004 12:51:00 PM Source : Onlypunjab.com Team
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Following a similar path to Hurricane Charley just weeks ago, Ivan tore off roofs, produced waves the size of two-story buildings and submerged an airport runway as it roared past Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands that make up the British territory of 45,000 people. The monstrous storm is expected to cross the western portion of Cuba tomorrow, with tropical storm force winds anticipated in the Florida Keys tomorrow night.
Current forecasts place Ivan’s U.S. landfall along the Florida panhandle early Wednesday morning, yet residents throughout the state’s west coast have been urged to take precautions.
At 5 p.m. EDT, Ivan's center was about 225 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph. Hurricane force winds extended 90 miles from the storm's eye, with rainfall of 8 to 12 inches expected in association with the storm.
Ivan killed at least 16 people in Jamaica, as its driving rains and winds triggered mudslides, washed out roads and ripped roofs from homes when the monstrous storm roared past the island of 2.7 million people on Friday night and Saturday. Hurricane Ivan has been blamed for at least 56 deaths in the Caribbean, including 34 in Grenada, where 90 percent of the island’s structures were leveled.
If Ivan keeps its projected course toward Florida, the state would face a storm that combines the worst of hurricanes Charley and Frances. Forecasts call for it to be nearly as powerful as Hurricane Charley's 145 mph winds when it nears the state, and though smaller, would still have some of the sprawling size of Hurricane Frances, with tropical storm winds reaching far enough to cover the entire peninsula.
Charley's destructive force was concentrated in a narrow ring around the eye; it has been likened to a tornado 10 miles wide. Ivan's most destructive winds easily could be twice as wide. Frances didn't have winds that packed that punch, but its inchworm pace across the state left 6 to 8 inches of rain everywhere in its wake.
Hurricane Ivan’s rampage through the Caribbean began on Tuesday, when it passed south of the island of Barbados as a Category 3 storm, packing winds of up to 90 mph that damaged homes and disrupted utilities. Similar destruction was left on the islands of Tobago and Saint Vincent before growing into a Category 4 system as it passed directly over Grenada.
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation in Grenada, Jamaica and the other affected Caribbean islands through its International Disaster Response Unit and continues to maintain contact and to coordinate activities with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU).
Though massive response efforts to both Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances are ongoing, American Red Cross disaster responders are on full alert across Florida, ready to shelter evacuees and provide emergency relief whenever and wherever Ivan strikes.
Additionally, the Red Cross is encouraging residents in the storm’s projected path to prepare now by taking the following actions:
---- Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
---- Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
---- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
---- Take these items with you when evacuating:
- Prescription medications and medical supplies;
- Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
- Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
- Car keys and maps
- Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
October 7, 2004: From TERRA DAILY.
Powell surveys hurricane damage in Grenada, pledges more aidThe hurricane killed 39 people and destroyed 90 percent of the tiny island's buildings when it blasted across the Caribbean on September 7, causing an estimated 800 million dollars in damage.
This island of 90,000 people is heavily dependent on tourism and nutmeg production, which together account for 40 percent of the economy.
The United States has given one million dollars in aid to Grenada and pledged an additional 3.6 million, US officials said.
The island will receive additional help in a 100-million-dollar emergency aid package that US President George W. Bush has requested from Congress for Caribbean nations hit by a wave of hurricanes this storm season, Powell said.
"We'll do everything we can to expedite the flow of that money," Powell said in a news conference at the airport in Point Salines, the island's southernmost point, after surveying the destruction from his plane's cockpit.
"There's an urgent need to reconstruct the economy as well as rebuilding houses and rebuilding schools," Powell said, noting that Grenada's schools, homes, farms and power system were hit by the hurricane.
Residents are receiving food and water, "but it'll be a continuing challenge," he said.
Shelters need to be built for people who remain homeless, the infrastructure needs to be repaired and power needs to be restored, he said. Only one-third of the island has electricity.
Grenada's Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said his government's priority is to reopen schools, which remain closed.
"After the devastation arrived we've gone through quite a lot in every respect," Mitchell said. He told Powell: "You understood what was happening, you had a good grasp of the problems that we've faced."
From an airplane, much of the island appeared still in ruins. Some areas appeared deserted, while some buildings looked as if they had been eaten up by a raging blaze and palm trees stood leafless.
"When those roofs went away, there was water damage done in all of these homes, in some cases destroying a family's entire possessions, all that they owned," Powell said.
"What makes this situation so difficult for Grenada is that not only was their infrastructure hit -- schools, housing, roads, the power system -- but their means of production and the economic base of the country," he said.
The nutmeg industry -- Grenada is world's second producer of the aromatic seed -- was devastated, and it takes five to 10 years for its evergreen trees to regrow, Powell said.
"We want to see if there are things we can do to help with that or perhaps diversify the agricultural sector," he said.
All rights reserved. © 2004 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.
October 6, 2004: From San Antonio WOAI.com.
Colin Powell visits Grenada as islanders criticize lack of American aid
ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) - Secretary of State Colin
Powell flew into Grenada on Wednesday to see the devastation left by Hurricane
Ivan as islanders complained the United States should be doing more to help.
©2004 Associated Press. All
rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
redistributed.
Powell stepped off a government jet at the battered airport, where the metal
roof was still torn in places, and shook hands with Prime Keith Mitchell and
other top officials. Police and visiting troops from Trinidad and Tobago kept
watch on the landing strip.
Ivan's 130 mph winds struck the Caribbean country Sept. 7, killing at least 39
people and leaving 90 percent of homes damaged or destroyed, as well as many
centuries-old British and French colonial buildings.
Grenada's Finance Ministry released a report Tuesday estimating losses from
destruction and tourism at $900 million.
U.S. aid to the island has dropped sharply since U.S. troops invaded in 1983
following a coup by left-wing radicals, and some islanders say the United States
should help more.
On Tuesday, President Bush asked Congress for an additional $50 million to help
victims of four major hurricanes that slammed into Haiti, Grenada, Jamaica and
other Caribbean nations - on top of $50 million Bush already proposed for those
countries. Not on the list is Cuba, whose communist leader has rebuffed U.S.
help.
Nearly a month after the hurricane passed, many Grenadians still are sleeping in
their cars or on the floors of damaged houses with roofs blown off.
"My car has been my bedroom for the past four weeks," said Hopeton
Antoine, 35, drinking a soda as he sat on his car at the side of the road.
"I think the United States government could play a greater role. They need
to help in the provision of homes."
Since Category 3 Ivan destroyed his home, Antoine said he spends his days
scrounging for food and sometimes staying with friends or family.
Anbel Hayling, a 41-year-old domestic worker, said that while hundreds of
American students who studied at the medical university have left the island,
Grenadians must deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
"The Americans removed all their students," Hayling said. "They
said they did not feel that the conditions here were good enough for them even
though they were living in better conditions after the hurricane than most
Grenadians were. America needs to grant refugee status to the hundreds of
Grenadians who have nowhere to live."
Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants, was making a stopover here after a
two-day visit to Brazil, where he was meeting with officials to discuss the
South American country's hope to obtain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security
Council, among other issues.
In Grenada, he said he wouldn't venture far from the airport because of
transport and infrastructure problems.
He said he had considered a trip to Haiti, where Tropical Storm Jeanne left more
than 1,870 dead and 884 missing but decided against it because Health and Human
Services Secretary Tommy Thompson had just visited.
October 5, 2004: From Terra daily.
TERRA WIRE
Powell to visit
hurricane-hit Grenada
SAO PAULO (AFP) Oct 05, 2004
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday he will
visit the Caribbean island state of Grenada, which suffered massive damage from
Hurricane Ivan last month, on his way home from Brazil.
"After we leave Brazil, we'll be going to Grenada, and we'll be stopping at Grenada for a few hours," Powell told reporters shortly before arriving here on a two-day visit.
"We can't stay too long because they are still struggling through the aftermath of a hurricane, and the facilities are rather austere, we didn't want to overload the circuits," he said.
Some 90 percent of the island's buildings were damaged in the deadly hurricane, which swept across the Caribbean and the United States and killed at least 108 people in a 12-day rampage.
Grenada was among the hardest-hit, suffering 37 deaths when Ivan pummeled it September 8.
October 4, 2004: From Hotel Online.
Hotel Online News for
the Hospitality Executive
BW6121 OCT 04,2004 13:26 PACIFIC 16:26 EASTERN
The hurricane impact study was conducted three days
after the departure of hurricane Jeanne from the state of Florida and revealed
the following: five percent of respondents who had
plans to visit Florida prior to the arrival of the hurricanes cancelled a trip.
An additional four percent postponed a trip;only one percent of respondents
cancelled a trip to the Bahamas or Caribbean. Roughly the same percentage of
respondents postponed trips; fully twenty percent of respondents stated they
were "less likely" to visit Florida between now and the end of 2004. A
comparable percentage indicated they were "less likely" to visit the
state between July and September of 2005; between 20% and 25% of respondents
indicated they were "less likely" to visit the Bahamas and Caribbean
prior to the end of 2004 (varied by region). Approximately one out of four
respondents stated they were less likely to visit the region between July and
September of 2005.
"Clearly, travelers have been affected by both the
jarring television images they have seen over the past six weeks as well as the
duration of the media coverage," said Peter Yesawich, chairman, YPB&R.
"But as the story of the region's recovery unfolds and winter approaches,
we're likely to see these negative opinions dissipate quickly, particularly if
travel suppliers roll out attractive promotional offers to lure visitors
back."
Respondents were asked to rate their perception of the
damage wrought by the four hurricanes, and ratings for "extreme
damage" ranged from nearly six in ten (59%) for the Florida Panhandle to
12% for Aruba as set forth below:
% Rating Damage "Extreme"
-------------------------
Florida Panhandle 59%
Jamaica 41%
Fort Myers 40%
Florida Keys 38%
Bahama Out Islands 35%
Tampa/St. Petersburg 34%
Dominican Republic 33%
Daytona Beach 3