PM Launches Shelter Recovery Programme on January 15

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will on Thursday (January 15) launch the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), which will provide reconstruction and rehabilitation support for households impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, on Wednesday (January 14).

“The Shelter Recovery Programme will be the umbrella programme for all of the components relating to the provision of support for the impacted households in terms of their restoration, particularly reconstruction and rehabilitation,” Mr. Charles Jr. explained.

He emphasised that the programme is another of the Government’s strategic, structured and deliberate approaches to provide emergency relief and recovery to impacted households following Hurricane Melissa.

Up to January 9, the Government had assessed 69,085 households, as it continues to map the level of damage sustained by private homes.

“Now, when we do the assessments, it is five categories that our assessors record – no damage, no significant damage, minor damage, major damage, and then severe,” Mr. Charles Jr. outlined.

He explained that those households in the minor, major and severe damage categories will be targeted with cash grants to rebuild.

“So, we focused on, from those five categories, the top three – minor, major and severe. And the percentages, so far, are 37 per cent in terms of the minor, 35 per cent for the major, and 16 per cent for severe,” the Minister said.

He noted that the approximately 20,000 assessments remaining to be conducted are expected to fall in the minor and major damage categories, as those with severe damage were prioritised for assessments.

Mr. Charles Jr. further informed that the Ministry’s team of trained and certified assessors has grown to more than 700 members.

“We continue to expand and to welcome any volunteers who would like to help,” the Minister added.