I just got off the phone with "The Mayor" (I kind like that, forget who used it here first) and have some good news and some bad.

First the bad, which is very little thanksfully.
-There are a couple of reports of price gouging that she's heard, but has not experienced it first hand.

-One man and his family had to weather the hurricane in their goat pen when the roof collapsed. What a terrible way to spend the storm! We post this just to remind people that those in Jamaica have been through a lot, even though the news now is overall good.


Speaking of good news, theres lots:

-Still no reports of any death or injury (though some fishermen are missing, as reported in the forum here)

-Most all concrete houses with concrete decking survived intact

-As we spoke, USAID and Red Cross were in the area assessing damage. (In fact, the guy from USAID had a reservation for Calabash House today. For some reason, the reservation was cancelled. Guess he didn't like the new 'all natural' skylight in his room :-)

-No reports of looting AT ALL in TB area, and she says that initial reports of looting in Black River seem to have been overblown

-more and more people are venturing out and helping rebuild. Everyone is still very positive, though some are worrying about food supplies. Rebecca doesn't think this will be a problem, though, as there should be supplies to purchase.

-The Food For The Poor is coming to St. Bess with food, but as she said other areas, less well off before the storm, are harder hit and will probably be more in need.

-Lots of people have converged on Jakes to get it rebuilt, knowing its a large part of the heart of the community.

-I have more reports of people building, but won't be able to psot them for a while. Again, no loss of life or injury reported. Its only buidling damage that she's giving me.

-Thanks in large part to Jason, there has been a promise of one water tanker PER DAY to the area (see below)

Relief Efforts:
When I told Rebecca that between the TB Foundation and TBNet we've already raised over US$6000, she broke down and said how grateful she was and everyone else is. She can't wait to get the news out that we're all doing our part up here. This will really go a long way to rebuild houses, feed everyone, and make sure clean water is available. THANKS to everyone!

She, Jason, Darin James, Tojo Hill, and others I forget met yesterday to decide what to do with the relief we send. Details:
-immediate needs: clean water, food, building supplies

Send money, not goods. They believe that they can buy what they need but of course need cash for it.

-They plan to buy supplies and give them to community members so that individuals can start rebuilding as soon as possible. This made more sense than giving out money or putting together teams to work on the Smith house today, the Jones tomorrow, etc. Seems that the biggest need is for zinc for roofs and doors/windows. Someone asked in the forum how much a sheet of zinc costs: JA$800, or about US$12.

-As we spoke, she and Tojo were on their way to the hardware store to help with the water project. They have taken the water storage tanks from Sandy Bank school and moved them to Jack Sprat. They are going to cap them and add spigots to them, then fill them up from the water tankers (see above) so that anyone in the commnity can get clean drinking water.

-The Banks are open, but no ATM or other electronics are working due to lack of power.

-The Gov't is saying there will be water and electricity supplies restored in a week, though some in the community are doubtful fo that timeframe.

Overall, the damage to buildings seems to be less than first expected and, with supplies and money, they are expecting to have things rebuilt in weeks, not months. The trees and yards and beaches are another story, though. There reamins a lot of cleaning up to be done, and so many trees have been knocked over.

She wanted me to convey 3 things:

1) Big Big Big Up to Jason for putting his considerable energy and contacts to the relief effort. Though its no surpirse, Jason has gone out of his way to get things done!

2) Everyone down there is pulling together like the great community it is to help each other. Postive vibes, Positive Treasure Beach

3) The fact that we up here are doing so much, both in terms of donating time and money as well as sending prayers and best wishes, means so much to everyone down there.


...and speaking of helping out, visit the Donation Page and see if you can give something to help. Any amount works, We've had anything from US$25 to US$1000. It all adds up!

You can also help by spreading thiis link to everyone and site you know: http://treasurebeach.net/guide/ivan/ivanrelief.html

To Miss June,
I'm so glad to hear you made it back to Montego Bay to ride out the storm. I was so worried about you being at Treasure Cot...... My thoughts have been on God's School and all the children and teachers. I pray they are all safe and everyone at Treasure Beach too. I hope to see you again soon.... Your swimming buddy in the sea... Paula Prayers from me and Auntie Jeanne!

Hi Rebecca,
Any word on the "Our Lady of Hope Orphanage" in Black River? If you find out any information, could you please post it on the web. Auntie Jeanne Hawtin and I have been trying to find out about the orphanage on the net with no luck. Also, Thank you for all you are doing to keep everyone informed. I'm so glad to hear that everyone in Treasure Beach is okay. Buildings can be rebuilt, sand will come in with the tide, but the special people of Treasure Beach can't be replaced. God bless you in all you do!
Paula Salvi

Consul General holding meeting in New York 9/15 as below

JAMAICAN CONSUL GENERAL IN NEW YORK TO HOLD
EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING ON AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE IVAN

WHO:

Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Consul General of Jamaica in New York

WHAT:

Will hold a hurricane relief community meeting. The meeting will focus on the New York Jamaican community's response to their fellow Jamaican's in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

WHEN:

Wednesday, September 15, 2004
6:00 PM

WHERE:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAMAICA
767 THIRD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
(Corner 3rd Avenue & East 48th Street)
NEW YORK, NY 10017

SPECIAL NOTE:

A special fund has been opened at the Consulate for Hurricane relief. You may make your donation in check or money order, payable to the "Jamaican Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund 2004" and mail to the Consulate at the above address.

CONTACT:

Consulate General of Jamaica
T: 212-935-9000
F: 212-935-7507
E: registry@congenjamaica-ny.org
W: www.congenjamaica-ny.org

Another update from Rebecca, with more good news, and some bad.

First the bad
The Port Kaisser pier is gone. This is used for loading the bauxite onto ships, which is a huge (#1?) foreign currency income generator for the island. This is bad news indeed.

Little Ochi Restaurant is also gone.

The good:
The Minister of Toursim, Aloun Assamba (sp), just left after helicoptering in on a tour of the island. She's promised relief.

Donations:
Wysinco Trading : William Mafood has donated 300 cases of the drink "Wata" to be delivered to Jakes soon.

John Yingling & Eric Jensen of Bubalas Wicked Oyster in Province Town, Cape Cod, MA has donated US$10,000. Its unclear if this is going to the Breds fund, but I believe it is. They bring a lot of Jamaicans up to Mass to work each year and are connected with the area.

There is a tax exempt fund you can send money to started by the doctors from Belview Hospital who are responsible for the Breds CPR training and the TBERU ambulance.
Make a note on the check about "Breds TB Foundation"
The tax exempt # is 505c3
Make check payable to
ISEC (stands for Int'l Society of Emergency Care).
PO Box 1892
NY, NY
10159


You can send money to BREDS account at the bank of Nova Scotia directly.
Bank of Nova Scotia
High Street
Black River
St Elizabeth
JAMAICA

branch #40105
rout#026009797
US$ acct #401070668
JA$ acct #39616


The only shortages she reported, and they are temporary until the tankers arrive, is gasoline/petrol.

Thanks to all who are helping.

More when it arrives.

Eric and Rebecca,

Another note from Plattsburgh. There are many apple orchards in this area which employ many, many Jamaicans every year. They are here now and harvesting, although their hearts are home with family and friends.

If anyone there needs to get info to someone up here at the orchards, I will personally deliver the info....

Post my email: legss101@yahoo.com

Best Regards,

Ann Seymour

Hey Eric and Rebecca,

Ann & Steve Seymour here in Plattsburgh, NY. My daughter and I are students at SUNY Plattsburgh which has a very large population of Carribean students.

I have emailed the Dean of the Students Association to see what might be done on campus to locate students needing info or assistance here with contacting family and friends affected by the hurricanes as well as what type of financial or physical assistance we might be able offer for our friends in need.

I will let you know when I hear more. The most we can do is ask and pray!! We have a very generous community!!

Thanks for all the updates. We will post more as info comes in!!

Dear all............I have tried every site to find out about Treasure Cot, Mitzi and her family and Ms. June????????/

God bless you all - we will all help!

Auntie Jeanne

Much thanks for the excellent work on this website!!

Bless -

Any news on Floyd and Pelican bar?
Thank you so much Rebecca. Great to hear nobody's hurt.
From,
Jim

What's happened with DAMIAN PARCHMENT and his Wife Sharlene? Everything ok? And RODNEY, the private taxidriver...?
Thanks for informations!

Terry, Debbie, Cherise & Kissi send our love and thoughts to everyone in TB. We will do what we can finacially to assit with efforts to get things restored. We miss you all and wish we were there. Big up to Rebecca, Darin,Jason and everyone else in keeping friends and loved ones informed

So very sorry to read of everyone's losses,but I'm glad there have been no serious injuries or deaths.I miss you all and my prayers are with you.Love Juju

First of all I would like to thank God that everyone is ok and also thank to God for this website. You guys are going a great work here.
I would like to fine out how is John Taylor(Calabash Bay)and his family is doing. Also Laxlie Senior (Calabash Bay) and his family are doing. We here in Canada is little worried because we can't get to contact them.

do you know what happen to the Levy's from Barbary Halll.

have you heard anything about Eldie Levy (Aunt) from Barbary Hall? I haven't heard from her and the rest of my family since the hurricane. Please send me a reply.