More Than 70 Portland Families Benefit from ‘Rebuild Jamaica’ Initiative

More than 70 families in Portland have been added to the growing number of Jamaicans benefiting from the Government’s ‘Rebuild Jamaica’ initiative.

The programme, which is a response to the dislocation resulting from Hurricane Beryl’s passage on July 3, delivers cash grants, ranging between $50,000 and $400,000, to affected persons.

Speaking during Wednesday’s (September 4) cheque presentation ceremony at Hotel Tim Bamboo in Port Antonio, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said the $1-billion initiative is indicative of the progress Jamaica has made in fending for itself.

“We are living in a Jamaica where we have been able to say to our Jamaicans [that] we can take care of our ourselves after a hurricane. That has never been able to be done before,” he noted.

“Do not take that for granted. It is a testament to the good decisions that you have made and that we have made, and this is the kind of Jamaica that we want, going forward,” the Minister added.

Mr. Charles urged the recipients to use the opportunity to consider how and where they will rebuild or repair their homes and to use the cheques for the intended purpose.

“We have made a commitment to you in Portland and to Jamaica, and we are fulfilling our commitment. Now you have to ensure that you carry through your responsibility… use your cheque wisely,” the Minister said.

Pointing out that the grants are part of broader government interventions, Mr. Charles told the beneficiaries that some of the more vulnerable persons will be receiving additional support through the World Food Programme.

For his part, Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson, hailed the Government for this response to the hurricane.

“Hurricane Beryl has [caused] the displacement and inconveniencing of thousands of our fellow citizens who have suffered severe damage, loss of property, loss of personal belongings [and] investments,” he said.

“The hallmark of any good and caring Government is the extent to which it has provided well-needed support and assistance for vulnerable and needy citizens, particularly in times of disaster and other unfortunate occurrences,” Councillor Thompson added.

The Rebuild Jamaica initiative is being rolled out across the island with a tour that commenced in Kingston on August 5.

To date, stops have been made in St. Catherine, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. Thomas and St. James.

Through the programme, persons whose homes suffered minor damage from the hurricane will receive grants of $50,000, while those experiencing severe damage will receive $150,000.

Persons whose homes were completely destroyed will receive grants of $400,000.

Partners on the initiative include the World Food Programme (WFP), Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica Red Cross, Food For the Poor, the Social Development Commission (SDC), and the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA).