Funds Secured Through Support Jamaica Portal to Advance Post-Hurricane Home Reconstruction

Funds raised through the Government’s Support Jamaica portal will be directed towards the purchase of building materials to assist in rebuilding the homes of Jamaicans impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing Wednesday’s (December 3) Post‑Cabinet Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery at Jamaica House, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, announced that the decision was taken by Cabinet on Monday (December 1).

“Only houses that have been assessed as having been damaged, by the Ministry of Labour [and Social Security], will be rebuilt,” she advised.

Senator Morris Dixon reported that the Ministry has commenced field assessments, which include identifying and geotagging affected locations.

“The money will be used to buy material that can then be traced to the individuals who have gotten it,” she further informed.

Minister Morris Dixon indicated that the majority of houses slated for rebuilding will be located in Westmoreland Eastern.

“The Member of Parliament has already been told this, and he is working to identify individuals. Those individuals have to have been assessed as having [suffered] damage; and so the Ministry of Labour team is working hard at that,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Morris Dixon shared that the rebuilding process will be spearheaded by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), working in partnership with an engineering corps from Guyana.

“Guyana has committed to rebuilding 200 houses and the JDF can do an additional amount,” she said.