September 7, 2008 – Manchester, Jamaica…[Carlene Grant/Nigel Coke/IAD]
In the immediate aftermath of then Tropical Storm Gustav which hit the West Indies region recently, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Jamaica distributed hundreds of tarps, blankets, lanterns, and food supplies to victims of the storm.
ADRA director for the West Indies Pastor Wenford Henry, along with personnel from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, visited four shelters in the Parish of Manchester to offer comfort to the victims.
“While Gustav did significant damage in the eastern end of Jamaica, we are grateful that the impact was less in other parts,” said Henry. “We were able to tour some of the most affected areas and distribute items that were needed. There is need to assist in the area of roofing for the parish of Portland and so, we will be working with the other stakeholders to ensure that relief is provided soon.”
Pastor Henry, accompanied by Pastor Joseph Smith, vice president and personal ministries director for the church in the West Indies, visited the the hardest hit parishes Port Antonio in Portland, on Aug. 31, 2008. Many houses in Port Antonio were severely damage and crops destroyed, according to Pastor Henry, who reported that over 100 blankets, six mattresses, and several tarpaulins were distributed.
In East Jamaica, the church's “Good Samaritan Inn” extended a helping hand to over 1,000 people in four shelters. Hundreds of hot meals were served at the national Heroes Circle in Kingston, Jamaica, following the passage of the storm.
Community Services personnel across the Island assisted many persons who were affected by the storm.
Adventists affected
Police Inspector Audley Smith, the spouse of one of the members of the Hagley Park Adventist Church, was shot and killed while on patrol in St. Mary the night of the storm.
There are confirmed reports that three Adventist members of the Hope district of churches in St. Andrew lost their homes after the nearby Hope River overflowed, sweeping away many homes in the region.
ADRA is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), and other non-government organizations (NGOs) to bring relief to those affected by Tropical Storm Gustav.
Tropical Storms Gustav and Hanna have also affected the other territories in the West Indies, such as the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Church leaders are still assessing damages there.
