Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie
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Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie
The Ministry of Local Government is looking to prefabricated housing solutions as an alternative arrangement to relocate hurricane evacuees, especially those in schools, as well as members of the homeless population.
Commander Alvin Gayle, Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, reported on Wednesday that 113 shelters remain open with more than 1,400 people.
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said he expects a reduction in the shelter population by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie said the government has increased its support to the country's homeless population, which he noted has grown since the storm.
"We have made provisions in the most critical parishes - St. Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. James - to house the homeless population. We'll be transferring a lot of the homeless to some of the new facilities that we are going to be putting down, and that will be done on a temporary basis," he advised.
In the meantime, Mr. McKenzie said the Social Development Commission survey of the homeless population has revealed that some individuals are pretending to be homeless in order to access food and other relief supplies.
The minister condemned the practice, stressing that it undermines accurate data collection and relief activities. He encouraged those who are genuinely in need to make use of established drop-in facilities.
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