NERO NEWS DAILY BRIEFING Thursday, September 16, 2004 ****************************************** Nero News is a daily briefing from the National Emergency Relief Organisation's Emergency Operations Centre of Grenada Address: NERO, Fort Frederic, St Georges, Grenada Tel: (473) 405-1822 / 1823 ****************************************** HEALTH SERVICE STABILIZES Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Gemma Bain-Thomas, said that services at the General Hospital are being stabilized. The Senior Government Official noted that more and more nurses are returning to work, thus staffing the various wards. The Health official said that, doctors were operating at the district and hospital levels and that surveillance and daily services are being provided at shelters and medical stations around the island. However the St. David’s and St. George’s Medical Stations were not yet providing service because of logistical problems. Bain- Thomas noted that the Hospital is 60 % -70% up and running. She said that it was expected to be fully functional in a week or less. The Grenada Health Services is being supported by a team of French doctors who are visiting communities, providing a variety of medical services such as testing for diabetes, high blood pressure, among others. Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and the Pan American Health Organization are International Organizations providing support. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health is advising all clients to use the nearest functioning medical station. RELIEF EFFORTS TO BE BETTER COORDINATED Grenadians residing in the rural areas and in need of help because of the destruction of Ivan will no longer have to travel long distances for relief. The National Emergency Organization (NERO) said that it is establishing food distribution centers in each of the seven parishes. The Minister responsible for disaster management, the Honorable Brenda Hood, said that the objective is to ensure that food and relief get to the people as quickly as possible. Since the Hurricane, which damaged /destroyed about 90% of the houses on the island, NERO’s capacity to provide food for Shelter victims and others has been severely criticized as grossly inefficient. Minister Hood and other officials spent the last Wednesday and Thursday meeting with coordinators and others to develop a more efficient and equitable system for distribution of relief. NERO has drawn up a list of distribution centers and identified coordinators to manage and ensure that the new system works. WATER RUNS FROM THE TAP Grenadians are again collecting water from taps. National Sewage and Water Authority (NAWASA) said that it is providing pipe born water to each parish. A Senior Manager; Christopher Husbands, said that distribution is about 80% and improving. In addition Mr. Husbands claims that the company is trucking water towards villages that are not receiving pipe born water. NAWASA is further seeking to establish water tanks in the various shelters, to ensure that the shelters have an adequate supply of water. The International Organization OXFAM is providing technical assistance to NAWASA in making it possible that water is made available to most of the rural communities. Meanwhile The Ministry of Health is testing the water quality around the island to ensure that it is of the highest standard. However, Grenadians are being urged to boil water before drinking. Rumors had been circulating following the hurricane that some rivers were contaminated. It was also alleged that a report was made to the International medium that the water was contaminated by overflowing septic tanks. The Ministry of Health wishes to make it abundantly clear that this information is untrue and, that everything is being done to ensure that the water remains safe for drinking. NERO FOCUSES ON DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION In the face of many communication problems, efforts are being made to provide consistent and efficient information. In this regard daily news bulletins focusing on relief efforts are aired on GBN 105.5 FM and 88.5 FM and CBC, Barbados 9:00 am. A newsletter is also being distributed in shelters on a daily basis covering issues of relief distribution as well as health and safety. It will also provide an opportunity for residents of shelters to respond to respond to assistance given and to highlight their needs. THE PRIME MINISTER UPBEAT WITH GRENADIAN SPIRIT Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell who has visited some shelters and the most affected areas created by the hurricane said he is upbeat and strongly motivated by the resilience and courage shown by residents. The Prime Minister noted that the looting had stopped and that the community spirit was very much alive. The Grenadian leader declared that he was touched by the camaraderie and the desire of the Grenadian people to work to rebuild houses. Tremendous positive developments have been unfolding with the restoration of electricity in some parts of the capital city, such as the re-opening of banks and gradual restoration of other economic activities as well as the opening of the Port and the International Airport for business. The Government said it was anxious to ensure that Grenada returns to normalcy as soon as possible. Members of the Government met with the official Opposition and they have greed to work together to formulate policies for the reconstruction of the country and to ensure that the distribution of food was done equitably and efficiently. The two parties have agreed to meet on a regular basis. Prime Minister Mitchell announced that his Government will provide concessions to people who suffered at the hands of terrible Hurricane Ivan. The list of items include windscreens for vehicles, chain saws and generators, housing materials such as windows, tarpaulin, lumber and ply but for a limited time. TOURISM INDUSTRY RECIEVES PLEGES A number of local, regional and international organizations have made pledges to the restoration process. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises have pledged US $100,000 towards our Hurricane Emergency Relief. Minister for Tourism the Honourable Brenda Hood has, in a letter today, registered appreciation to them for the generous offer. According to her, Government wants the Tourism Industry to bounce back in the quickest possible time. Tourism is one of the main contributors to the Grenadian Economy. Hood, who is also the Minister with responsibility for Disaster Management said that she was meeting with stake holders in the Industry on Friday 17th to get their input on a recovery plan. General Secretary of the Caribbean Tourism Association (CTA), Jean Holder visited Grenada and pledged his support for the reconstruction of the Industry. The Tourism Minister is also encouraging Grenadians abroad to visit their homeland and aid in the restoration process. The Point Salines International Airport would be opened from 7am to 5pm daily to facilitate air carriers from around the world. CURFEW RELAXED The 24 hour curfew imposed on towns restricting the movements of Grenadians during the day, is being relaxed as of Thursday evening. The Government said that the curfew however remains in effect from 6pm to 6am. The curfew was imposed following the passage of Hurricane Ivan when Grenadians started the looting of supermarkets and other businesses of houses. The Grenada security forces are receiving help from the regional security services while Venezuela has sent more than a hundred military and civilian personnel to aid in the reconstruction of the island. CABINET FOCUSES ON REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION The Grenada cabinet has decided to meet twice weekly, in our attempt to spearhead the restoration and rehabilitation of the country. Following a meeting on Tuesday, cabinet decided to also meet on Thursdays, in an effort to expeditiously handle the affairs of the Hurricane stricken Island. Meetings will be held Tuesday and Thursday of every week to deal with the present crisis.