Residents in Hurricane-Impacted Communities Receiving Cash Vouchers

Hundreds of residents in parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa are receiving cash vouchers just in time for Christmas.

The disbursement, which started on December 17, is being undertaken by the World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The cash vouchers are intended to replace some of the care and food packages being distributed in hurricane-impacted communities.

Cash Officer, WFP, Lorenzo Nerantzis, who spoke to JIS News following a recent National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), said that the parties have developed a strategy to ensure that there is no overlap.

“There are many things we will take into consideration, one of them is, for example, when was your last food distribution in a specific community. The idea is that those receiving cash would have already transitioned out of food,” he said.

“We are going to have a very, very harmonised approach. We are also cognisant of the fact that we do not want to overflow Western Union and the other registered [money service] companies with customers right now, because we also know that Christmas is around the corner,” he added.

Mr. Nerantzis said that the goal is for members of affected communities to spend cash within their local economy and help with the rebuilding process.

Deputy Director General, ODPEM, Michelle Edwards, commended the initiative, noting that the assistance will be welcomed by the beneficiaries as the Christmas season approaches.

“I want to commend you and I think that the persons who will receive cash, they will be very grateful for that,” she said.