Over 113,000 Post-Hurricane Household Damage Assessments Completed

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has, so far, conducted 113,565 household damage assessments following Hurricane Melissa.

Of this number, 17,826 households were found to be severely damaged, 42,586 sustained major damage, and another 41,079 experienced minor damage. These were deemed eligible for benefits under the Government’s Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP).

This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during Wednesday’s (April 15) post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

Under the SRP framework, individuals may access support through six initiatives: the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, government led repairs, partnership led repairs, National Housing Trust (NHT) support, deployment of modular housing solutions, and relocation or regularisation.

The Jamaica Household Damage, Impact and Needs Assessment (JHDINA) tool classifies household damage into five categories for aid allocation: no damage, no significant damage, minor damage, major damage, and severe damage or destroyed.

“If you fall into the no damage or no significant damage categories, you will not receive a benefit. The benefit goes to minor, major and severe,” Minister Charles explained.

Of the households assessed, 1,785 were evaluated and found to have no damage.

Mr. Charles noted that those households may have received support such as food packages or other assistance but are not eligible for infrastructural repair under the programme, as it is not required.