The Prime Minister is calling on citizens of this country to donate essential items to assist those who will be most in need in Jamaica after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
This, as the Prime Minister says this country will also provide manpower, and technical resources to assist Jamaica which was set to get a direct hit from the slow moving Category Five hurricane.
00:00Prime Minister Kavla Passat-Bissessa has extended her heartfelt solidarity to the government and people of Jamaica as they brace for Hurricane Melissa and is encouraging citizens, businesses, community groups and organizations in Trinidad and Tobago to donate essential items.
00:17Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa said collection venues will be shared consequently.
00:21The storm grew into a Category 5 hurricane as it bared down on Jamaica on Monday as Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Allness delivered an address to the nation.
00:32Based on current assessments, all of Jamaica will likely be affected by hurricane conditions, meaning heavy rains and winds above 100 miles per hour.
00:41It is also likely that hurricane conditions could linger over Jamaica due to the slow-moving nature of this system.
00:48Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa said in a statement to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago on Monday,
00:54quote,
00:54Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference.
00:59Together we can bring hope and comfort to Jamaica in this time of great need.
01:04In moments like these, our strength lies in our solidarity and shared humanity, end quote.
01:11The Prime Minister further said, quote,
01:14The government of Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with key stakeholders, will launch a national collection drive to gather relief supplies.
01:23These supplies will be sent to Jamaica to assist those most in need, end quote.
01:29Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa then declared, quote,
01:31Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa noted that to ensure a coordinated national response,
01:58the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the ODPM, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force,
02:04the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and Carcom Affairs
02:10will work cohesively to deliver critical support to Jamaica following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
02:17Opposition MP and the former Prime Minister Stuart Young said on Sunday
02:20that he is praying for our Jamaican brothers and sisters
02:23and in particular for the safety and well-being of all of our Trinidad and Tobago citizens
02:29who are in Jamaica at this time.
02:31MP Young said a number of our students and parents who have children in Jamaica
02:36have been in touch with him and provided him with what he called, quote,
02:40the evidence of the lack of concern and assistance from our government, end quote,
02:46and that they are now stuck in Jamaica and sheltering in place.
02:49Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa said on Monday that the Ministry of Foreign and Carcom Affairs
02:54has been in active communication with the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in Jamaica
02:59to monitor the situation and provide assistance to Trinidad and Tobago's citizens currently in Jamaica.
03:05The Prime Minister then said Foreign and Carcom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, quote,
03:10comprehensively outlined these ongoing efforts at a news conference on Sunday, end quote.
03:16Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa called upon the people of Trinidad and Tobago
03:20to keep the people of Jamaica in their thoughts and prayers.
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