Gov’t Providing Additional $4 Million per Constituency for Hurricane Relief

The Government is providing an additional $4 million per constituency to assist in recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 9).

On July 2, the Prime Minister announced an initial $5 million per constituency for emergency hurricane preparation and response efforts.

“Again, the same modality will [obtain] where the funds will go through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). There are some conditions…you must complete the expenditure of the first allocation. Remember, we are in a tight funding situation and we can’t have allocations not used,” Mr. Holness said.

“The completion means that all the documentation that is required for the audit trail is submitted. Once that is done, then the second allocation of $4 million per constituency will be made. This, however, will be focused mostly now on the shelter issues and the economic recovery,” he told the House, noting that further directions will be provided.

For areas that were severely impacted, the Prime Minister said that an additional $3 million will be provided to those constituencies, following an assessment.

Meanwhile, a rapid assessment of the extent of damage to housing infrastructure in the most affected parishes, is underway.

“We are exploring the use of drone technology to further fast track the assessment. Based on this assessment, we will craft and announce a programme to provide support to households in repairing damage to their property – roofs, housing, etc. At this point, I must emphasise the importance of maintaining the accountability for funds,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that the Government will not be able to assist every person, who has lost their roof. “No Jamaican government has ever done so, no government in the world can do so. So, there must be a process that determines who is assisted and that process has to be absolutely transparent,” he pointed out.

The Prime Minister further informed that the Chief of Defence Staff has been instructed to mobilise the Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART), and other supporting units, including engineering, to cover areas such as Rocky Point and Portland Cottage on the south coast where the damage is greatest to assist with the rebuilding and recovery.

“They will also be deployed in Hanover to assist with the recovery [and] the town of Negril and other areas coming around to Westmoreland. The deployment in Southeast Clarendon will also spill over into areas of Manchester and St. Elizabeth,” the Prime Minister said.