Gov’t Allocates $75m to Support Religious Organisations in Post-Hurricane Melissa Recovery

The Government has announced a $75-million allocation to the Social Development Commission (SDC) to support churches and faith‑based institutions in rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

The announcement follows last month’s establishment of a Religious and Faith‑based Task Force, comprising members of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches (JUGC), to identify the needs of religious organisations.

“As I drove through the affected areas, it pained my heart to see so many of our churches, particularly our historic churches, destroyed. I have seen some congregations having their services under tents or under patched up roofs… so we have made a special provision,” Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, stated.

“The churches in the 16 most affected constituencies may contact the SDC office. They will send a representative with you to go and look at your church, and they will make a recommendation as to the grant that you can get to assist with the clean-up,” he detailed.

The Prime Minister was speaking during a ceremony to hand over 10 new tipper trucks, valued approximately $200 million, to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) at the agency’s headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday (December 23).

He emphasised the vital role of churches in society, noting their collaboration with the Government and other agencies in the hurricane relief effort.

“We want to acknowledge the churches [and] the faith-based institutions for all that they have done, and to let them know that they are an important part of the recovery and reconstruction effort, and we won’t leave them out,” Dr. Holness affirmed.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, explained that the $75-million allocation will benefit churches across the five parishes most affected by the hurricane.

“The Social Development Commission will be responsible for working with the churches to get the information. Once the assessment is done, based on those assessments, whatever amount that will be required to assist our churches in getting themselves back [will be disbursed],” he stated.

Mr. McKenzie added that, where possible, further assistance will be extended to churches across the island.

Meanwhile, Dr. Holness noted that the Government is collaborating with the nation’s churches on two additional initiatives.

“One of them is titling for the churches. We are looking to establish those churches that are on lands for which they have no titles… and then we have a loan programme which we are working through with the NHT (National Housing Trust). There are some churches that may be able to afford a loan to rebuild their facilities. Those [loans] will be at very concessionary and reasonable terms,” he outlined.