Social Security Minister Assesses More Than 3,000 Households in St. Elizabeth

The St. Elizabeth office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has assessed more than 3,000 households across the parish in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the island on July 3.

“Up to August 30, we had 243 completely destroyed houses, 1,013 severely damaged houses and 1,836 minor damaged houses,” said Parish Manager, Michelle Senior, while addressing a Disaster Forum at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation in Black River, on September 3.

She noted that the affected areas span a wide range of communities, including Watchwell, Bull Savannah, Ballards Valley, Top Hill, Burnt Ground, Retrieve, Warminster, Flagaman, Treasure Beach, Southfield, Myersville, Barbary Hall, Mountainside, Munro, Pedro Plains, Red Bank, Hopewell, Middle Quarters, Black River and Aberdeen.

Ms. Senior said that teams have been conducting thorough investigations to ensure that all impacted families were properly assessed and supported.

Moreover, the assessments were carried out with the assistance of personnel from neighbouring parishes, such as Westmoreland, Hanover and St. Ann, as well as a team from Kingston.

“However, those [families] would have received relief packages. We donated food packages, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, mattresses and with the support of Food For The Poor, we had machetes, mosquito nets, waterboots and blankets and other things,” Ms. Senior outlined.

“We also got support from the disaster coordinator from St Elizabeth with bottled water to assist with the whole need for water,” she added.

In the meantime, the Ministry, on August 29, commenced disbursement of financial assistance under the Rebuild Jamaica initiative.

Some 1,235 cheques were received and are being distributed from the parish office.

Ms. Senior explained that to further streamline the process, the Ministry is exploring the possibility of setting up centralised distribution points within the communities.