Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is reporting that $225.1 million has been spent on procuring food for the Hurricane Melissa emergency response up to December 9. The category-five hurricane dealt a devastating blow to western Jamaica on October 28. “It includes $52 million spent pre-hurricane in terms of purchases of food that were pre-positioned across...

Nearly 500 persons are currently deployed across the hardest‑hit communities, conducting damage and needs assessments following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October. Chief Technical Director (CTD) in the Ministry, Audrey Deer‑Williams, made the disclosure during a Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs virtual sensitisation session on Thursday (December 4). The session was convened to update Justices of the Peace...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to advancing disability inclusion. He noted that accessibility and equal participation must remain central to Jamaica’s national development agenda. The Minister was addressing a public forum at the Kingston Summit business complex on Wednesday (December 3), to mark the International Day for Persons with...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has set up an Oversight Committee to coordinate welfare interventions for team members impacted by hurricane Melissa. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during a press briefing held at the Ministry’s North Street offices in Kingston, on November 20. He said the committee will ensure that the activities are transparent,...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is reiterating that no identification is required for persons to receive Hurricane Melissa relief support. “No one will be turned away from receiving a benefit because of a lack of documents… that is a Ministry policy. However, it is not difficult for us to appreciate that we want to have...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has completed damage assessments of 17,000 households, to date, with some 47,000 persons recorded as being impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Ministry’s North Street offices in Kingston on Thursday (November 20). The assessments are being conducted using the Jamaica...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has activated an emergency response network to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The assistance is being channelled through the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), which has received more than 110 calls from individuals requiring evacuation, food, shelter, and welfare checks. In a release on November...