Ministry Distributes Over 30,000 Food Packages in Hurricane Relief Effort

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has, so far, delivered hundreds of relief items and over 30,000 food packages to Jamaicans devastated by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who provided the update during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Monday (November 3), assured the public that the Ministry is working assiduously to deliver relief to communities that have been completely isolated.

“So far, we have provided tarpaulins, water, and other relief supplies. We are collaborating with the private sector, faith-based organisations and government agencies to ensure that we can ramp up and move now into the next phase, which is beyond just providing the immediate rapid response, to a more strategic and calculated design of distribution model that will see us supplying exactly what is needed to specific and strategic areas,” he said.

Minister Charles acknowledged that although food is a critical daily need, the demand for other essential supplies remains significant.

“For instance, in Catherine Hall, St. James, they may have food packages or still need food packages. But what they need now, based on observation, is cleaning supplies… clean drinking water and water to help in cleaning out the homes,” he said.

The Ministry, which leads the Humanitarian Assistance Committee (HAC), has primary responsibility for household damage assessments, relief distribution, and emergency grant payments.

Meanwhile, Mr. Charles said Starlink internet connectivity will be installed in all of the Ministry’s Parish Offices.

“We have now received the communication support through Starlink, and that will be placed in all of our parish offices to improve the network of communication, as well as setting up as part of our Humanitarian Assistance Committee support coordination cells in every parish that will see us working as a team to do the distribution,” he said.

For more information on the work of the Ministry and how to access assistance, individuals may contact the Labour Division at 1(876) 922-9500-17 or the Security Division at 1(876) 922-8000-13.

Additional details are available on the Ministry’s website at mlss.gov.jm.