Approximately 100 Families in St. Thomas Receive Hurricane Beryl Relief Funds

Approximately 100 families in St. Thomas are now better able to rebuild or repair their homes, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

This, after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security distributed cash grants to affected residents in the parish under the ‘Rebuild Jamaica’ initiative on Tuesday (September 3).

Through the $1-billion programme, persons whose homes suffered minor damage from the hurricane will receive grants of $50,000, while those experiencing severe damage will receive $150,000.

Persons whose homes were completely destroyed will receive grants of $400,000.

Speaking during Tuesday’s (September 3) handover ceremony at Morant Villas Hotel, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said although St. Thomas was not as badly hit as Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, there are still persons in the parish who were significantly affected by the Category Four weather system.

In this regard, he said Rebuild Jamaica is indicative of the Government’s lasting commitment to Jamaicans, while urging the recipients to activate the funds quickly and use them to “build back stronger” and more resilient.

Mr. Charles also encouraged the beneficiaries to use the grants for the intended purpose, pointing out that, “if you know that you are getting a cheque to help with your house, use your money to rehabilitate your house”.

“I expect… everyone to demonstrate integrity… to show honesty… [and] I expect that it is not going to just be about you but it’s going to be about your community,” he added.

In his remarks, Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Louis Chin, said the ceremony was “a reminder that, in the face of hardships, we all must unite to recover and rebuild”.

“To the receivers, I offer my deepest empathies and support. We recognise the challenges you face and we are committed to helping you to overcome them,” Councillor Chin stated.

Greetings were also brought by Member of Parliament (MP) for St. Thomas Eastern, Dr. Michelle Charles.

Councillor for the Trinityville Division, Dean Jones, who also attended the ceremony, represented St. Thomas Western MP, James Robertson.

The Rebuild Jamaica tour, which began in Kingston on August 5, has, to date, made stops in St. Catherine, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland.

The tour continues in Portland on Wednesday (September 4).

Partners on the initiative include the World Food Programme (WFP), Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica Red Cross, Food For the Poor, Social Development Commission (SDC), and the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA).