Cash Grants Given to Residents in St. Catherine to Restore Houses

Scores of persons across the parish of St. Catherine have received cash grants under the Government’s Rebuild Jamaica Initiative, to restore their homes that were damaged by Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

The beneficiaries were presented with cheques by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., and other officials, at a ceremony held on August 27 at the HEART College of Construction Services in Portmore.

Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage across the island, resulting in massive dislocation to families and communities, especially in the southern parishes.

The Ministry has been coordinating relief efforts aimed at advancing the resilient restoration of communities through the Government of Jamaica and partners.

“In building back Jamaica, our effort is to make sure that we put people in a better position,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

The Minister urged the recipients to “make sure that the money is used in the best possible way”.

He said the distribution marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing recovery efforts and underscores the Government’s commitment to supporting affected communities.

“Our goal is to leave no one behind, but to change lives for the better. Our Government’s commitment to you… we are going to ensure that, in a timely manner, we get these cheques out to you,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colette Roberts Risden, said the ongoing response effort is about “restoring homes, livelihood, and hope across the parishes for our people who were hit the hardest”.

For his part, Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South Eastern, Robert Miller, said the support for the residents have come at an important time, and urged them to use hurricane straps when installing their roofs.