PM Announces REACH Programme to Assist Hurricane Beryl Victims

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) Programme, which is aimed at providing immediate assistance to Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Beryl.

The major elements of the programme include the distribution of food and essential supplies; utility, water, electricity and telecommunications restoration; housing reconstruction and support; and economic recovery and restoration of livelihood, Mr. Holness said in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 9).

He told the House that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been distributing care packages containing canned food, flour, rice, cooking oil and other items through its network of social workers.

“These care packages contain enough food for a family of four for four days. By today, approximately 5000 families would have received care packages,” he indicated.

The Prime Minister said the Government is coordinating the continued distribution of food, water, medical sundries and other essentials to citizens in the most affected areas.

“This includes working with organisations such as Food for the Poor, Salvation Army and Jamaica Red Cross to ensure that aid reaches those in need promptly,” he noted.

He said that a critical need is the provision of medications, particularly those that require refrigeration, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness has issued a release providing guidance in this regard.

Mr. Holness further pointed out that focus is being placed on dengue mitigation activities to ensure that there is no outbreak.