Hurricane-ravaged residents of Black River in St. Elizabeth have started to receive much needed relief supplies through the government and private donors.
Food, water and basic supplies are distributed on Friday by the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaican international recording artiste Shaggy and a popular fast food chain.
On Saturday, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie led a team from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, volunteers and donors on a tour and distribution of relief supplies to residents in Black River and Westmoreland.
Stay away from Black River
In the meantime, the Black River Police are urging those people who do not need to be in Black River to stay away.
Deputy Superintendent in charge of operations Owen Brown says emergency workers are being hindered in effectively carrying out their duties by curious onlookers.
"One of the problems is that the mobility, we are not able to move from one point to the other at very fast rate. Remember too, that if persons are injured, the situation at the hospital, that it's difficult; the road to get there is completely destroyed. So we are asking persons, just stay home if you don't have to come into Black River. Right now it's not the place for sight-seeing; it's a place where emergency workers will come in so we are able to make the proper assessment. We don't know yet in terms of the number of lives that have been lost. There is a possibility that other bodies are here in the town," he bemoaned, reiterating the call for onlookers to stay home and "give us the space at least to do some work".
DSP Brown said the police are also having to contend with looters.
At least three people allegedly caught looting were arrested on Friday.
The Black River Police Station, courthouse and hospital are among critical government infrastructure that have been decimated.
DSP Brown said the police are getting support from the Specialised Operations Branch and the JDF.
"Our team members are coming in, because they too, especially those who live in the parish, are being impacted. Their homes also have been impacted. So those who can are coming in, so at least those who have been here since Sunday can be relieved. It becomes overwhelming, but this is what we are trained for," he declared.
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