Jamaica continues to seek Nicole aid

Donor agencies have been sensitised and are on standby to offer relief assistance following yesterday's meeting with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Daryl Vaz, the minister with responsibility for information, said the meeting signalled that "wheels are in motion".

"We are moving ahead so we can get quick responses," Vaz told The Gleaner.

"The Government is fully aware of the suffering and inconveniences being felt by the citizenry, and we are asking for their patience."

So far, the Government has received a US$200,000 grant from a multilateral agency and US$50,000 from the United States Embassy.

Tropical Depression 16, which was then upgraded to Tropical Storm Nicole, wreaked havoc on the island's road infrastructure, agriculture, and people's personal property.

"Just by limited surveying of the parishes, there are billions of dollars worth of damage," Vaz said.