The life of several children who were affected by the passage of Hurricane Dean on August 19, has not yet normalised, with many still displaced and absent from school, some without food and other necessities.

In an effort to assist with the readjustment of this most vulnerable group, the Jamaica National Buil-ding Society (JNBS) Foundation, last week, handed over a cheque for $450,000 to the Jamaica Red Cross at its Central Village offices in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

The money, which was allocated from the JNBS Disaster Recovery Fund, was contributed by Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.

The cash will primarily be used to provide psychosocial support to a number of children and assist with the recovery of their families.

Disaster fund

Ruth Jankee, general manager of the JNBS Foundation, said the JN Disaster Recovery Fund was first implemented following Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

"With the passage of Hurricane Dean in August this year, we re-established the fund and appealed to Jamaicans and other well wishers in the diaspora to contribute to the relief efforts. With their contribution, we will make a difference in the lives of some 250 Jamaican children," Ms. Jankee stated.

Dr. Jaslin Salmon, president of the Jamaica Red Cross, expressed his gratitude to the JNBS Foundation.

"The foundation's donation will go towards an existing programme and we are very appreciative of JN's kind gesture towards the people affected by Hurricane Dean. We thank you on behalf of those who will benefit from your assistance."

Provide meals

Yvonne Clarke, director general of the Jamaica Red Cross, said the contribution would boost the Red Cross initiative to provide meals to 250 families in targeted parishes through the implementation of a school-feeding programme and the replacement of school books destroyed in the hurricane.

"Efforts by the Red Cross are aimed at ensuring that parents are better able to resume their income-generating activities, and regain their ability to meet their children's basic needs," Ms. Clarke noted.

The 250 families identified will also receive non-food items including household goods and hygiene products. Some families will be given farming and fishing supplies depending on their livelihood and community needs.

"We welcome the contribution from the foundation, and we welcome donations from other humanitarians to assist in sustaining these relief efforts," Dr. Salmon added.