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Anthony Lawrence, Chairman of the Board of Management of Knockalva Polytechnic College in Hanover
There is an urgent appeal for relief assistance from the administrators of the Knockalva Polytechnic College in Ramble, Hanover, which suffered an estimated $3.5 billion in losses from the powerful Hurricane Melissa, which ravaged western Jamaica last week.
Classes have been suspended indefinitely as cleanup and recovery operations begin.
Anthony Lawrence, Chairman of the Board of Management, says the immediate concern is for the approximately 30 students who remain stranded on the campus as their communities and homes were devastated.
Mr. Lawrence says so far, care packages have been provided by staff and alumni.
He says more help is needed.
"So the urgent appeal now is for food and toiletries. There are 10 female students and I think 22 males on campus. So you can see the ratio of what maybe unique to the female needs as opposed to the general needs."
Mr. Lawrence said Hurricane Melissa has dealt a devastating blow to the 85-year-old institution regarded as a flagship centre for agricultural and technical education.
Major facilities have been destroyed or rendered unusable.
Staff and the student living quarters, along with key academic and agricultural buildings, have been left roofless or completely flattened.
The farms have also sustained severe damage, with the dairy facility destroyed, goat pen damaged, and 20 acres of coconut damaged.
"We lost basically everything on campus," he outlined, adding that the school will need "almost a complete rebuild".
Mr. Lawrence said, added to the crisis, the college remains without piped water, electricity and mobile connectivity.
He is requesting heavy-duty equipment and machinery such as chainsaws, tractors and loaders to assist with the cleanup of the campus, and the removal of debris and damage to structures.
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