Level of Support Outlined for Persons Whose Houses Were Damaged by Hurricane

Based on the analysis of the damage assessments completed, so far, following Hurricane Beryl, it has been projected that 8,700 houses islandwide will require some level of support from the Government to aid in their recovery and rebuilding.

“Of this amount, the vast majority would have suffered minor damage. Families whose houses have been totally destroyed, which, based on the numbers we estimate to be no less than 500, will receive a grant of $400,000,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has informed.

In a Statement to the House of Representatives on July 23, the Minister said that those whose homes have been severely damaged will receive a grant of up to $150,000 and those who experienced minor damage will receive up to $50,000.

“We recognise the immediate challenges presented by using cheque payments, and so we are exploring options utilising electronic payments and cash cards, and we expect that this will assist in terms of accountability and improve service delivery in a timely manner,” he said.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that the restoration process must be approached as a partnership of all stakeholders.

“It is, therefore, expected that these grants will be supplemented by a range of other initiatives, including donor funds, contributions from the diaspora, private-sector initiatives such as the recently launched National Commercial Bank’s Foundation, Building a Better Jamaica Fund, the CDF (Constituency Development Fund), and Food For the Poor,” he added.

He informed that the Ministry will also be leveraging existing social programmes managed by the Ministry to provide assistance to the affected population.

Mr. Charles Jr. said that through the current assessment process, the Ministry has increased targeting and identification of beneficiaries for its programmes, including the Social Pension, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities and National Council for Senior Citizens.

“This process will have a twofold benefit. In the first instance, it will increase our ability to provide ongoing assistance to these vulnerable groups, and secondly, in the event of other emergencies, it allows us to more readily respond since we will have records of who these persons are, and where they are located,” he added.

The Minister said the Rehabilitation Grants programme, which provides a range of benefits and includes funeral grants, micro-business grants and school assistance for persons in need, will also be targeted to assist persons affected.

“You will see our social intervention programmes allocating the provision of grants to students in communities most impacted,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

The Minister also informed that he has received a report that Food For the Poor has already replaced 20 roofs in Clarendon and has mobilised and will activate similar efforts in St Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, he reiterated that the Government “will not be able to provide support for a total rebuild [of houses], but this will be sufficient support to assist the process of the recovery”.