In this 2008 photo, Pastor Wenford Henry (right), director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, is assisted with the unloading of relief supplies for distribution by Pastor Arlington Woodburn, president of the Adventist Church in northeast Jamaica. The distribution of tarpaulins, blankets and mattresses took place in Port Antonio, Portland, one of the areas which was severely affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. - FILE

With predictions that there could be between four to seven hurricanes this year, humanitarian agencies say they are prepared to meet the needs of Jamaicans, should disaster strike.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is a 70 per cent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).

"We are always in a state of readiness and we try to ensure that there is improvement as we go along," Lois Hue, deputy director general of Red Cross, told The Gleaner.

Hue said Red Cross had started training volunteers from as early as March to ensure that they are properly equipped.

Noting that Red Cross has responsibility for priority shelters, she stressed, "we have to ensure that we have people who are adequately trained."

"I am very confident that we have the physical resources," Hue said. "That makes me proud because it means we have individuals on the ground who are highly trained."

She said the humanitarian organisation has food supplies available.

"We have a virtual warehouse with GraceKennedy so, when anything comes up, we can access supplies."

She also noted that Red Cross has arrangements with wholesales and supermarkets in rural areas, in the event that these communities are cut off.

Repairing homes

Meanwhile, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) said it was moving to repair homes that are dilapidated, rather than waiting until they are damaged by hurricanes.

Pastor Wenford Henry, director of ADRA, said this move was more practical. He noted that the agency recently repaired a house for an elderly woman and plans to do more of this mitigation work.

Meanwhile, Henry said members of ADRA are on several disaster-planning committees and have been attending meetings.

"We have a network of Adventist members across the island who are on the alert," said Henry.

The relief agency, he said, has also been training persons. Henry said ADRA has some supplies in store, should the need arise.

"How we operate over the years, after the storm passes, we contact our overseas partners and they respond and send the items," said Henry.

In the meantime, charity organisation Food For the Poor said it was also prepared to assist, in the event of a disaster.

Petrian Henry, public relations assistant for Food For the Poor (FFP), said the charity institution was prepared for the hurricane season.

She noted the FFP has items such as blankets, gas stoves, pillows and bed linen in store.

Ms Henry also said FFP had requested items from Florida to aid the process. The containers are expected to arrive on the island soon.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com