More than a week after the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan to the shores of Jamaica, the Jamaica Red Cross is still committed to responding to the hurricane and has already helped over 15000 persons to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ivan.

Prior to the hurricane, the various branches of the Red Cross as well as Red Cross volunteers and community disaster response teams were placed on alert and were ready to respond. Since the passage of Ivan, Red Cross persons have been out in the field assessing the damage and addressing the needs of those affected by the hurricane. Supplies including food and non-food items have been dispatched from the Jamaica Red Cross National Headquarters to the various Red Cross branches who in turn distribute the supplies to the various communities in all fourteen parishes.

To date, over 3000 food packages, 3000 hygiene kits, 2000 tarpaulins, 7000 blankets among other supplies, have been distributed island wide with the parishes of Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas and St. James being identified as 'priority areas.'

While the distribution of much needed supplies to those in need has been the focal point of the Jamaica Red Cross relief efforts, it is not the only assistance that is being offered. With the passage of Ivan, a number of persons have been displaced and communication between Jamaicans and their relatives and friends overseas have been disrupted.

However the Jamaica Red Cross has been able to assist persons from various foreign counties in ascertaining the safety status of their relatives and friends in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. "A great number of persons have been contacting us from abroad to get our assistance in locating a family member or friend .and we have been working with our branches island wide to locate these persons, some of whom have been displaced, just to ensure that they're okay," states Ruth Chisholm, Director of Emergency Services and Communication.

"This is essentially what we are about," says Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross, Yvonne Clarke, "the Red Cross mission is 'to improve the lives of the most vulnerable by mobilizing critical resources,' and that's what we've been doing and will continue to do."

The Jamaica Red Cross relief operation has received numerous donations in cash and kind from various private sector and international agencies as well as individuals. However the need for supplies is a continuous one and so agencies and individuals are invited to join in the relief efforts island wide by sending donations to the Jamaica Red Cross National Headquarters.