The Airports Authority of Jamaica has donated $9 m to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s ‘Help Impacted Islands Initiative’.

This will assist Caribbean countries affected by the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The cheque was presented during a ceremony yesterday at ODPEM’s Kingston office.

The distribution of the funds will be done through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

Among the islands impacted by the passage of the hurricanes are: Anguilla, Barbuda, Dominica, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands.

Director General of the Odpem, Major Clive Davis thanked the AAJ for its generous donation, which he said, sets the example for other organizations to follow.

Maj Davis says the suffering is far from over, as reports coming out of Dominica are that the rebuilding process is going to be long and challenging.

For his part, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AAJ, Audley Deidrick says he is happy to show the affected Caribbean countries that the people of Jamaica stand with them in their time of need.

Meantime, the Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management says the agency will cease collection of disaster relief supplies for the Help Impacted Islands Initiative, next Tuesday October 17.

Odpem is asking organizations and individuals offering donations to take note of the cut off date, so as to not cause any inconvenience.

Cash donations are still being accepted and can be made to any branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) account number 212387304.