Security Forces Will Be Fully Mobilised – PM

The security forces will be fully mobilised to maintain public order and assist with disaster relief as soon as Hurricane Beryl passes Jamaica.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during a national broadcast on Tuesday (July 2).

He said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have developed strategic plans to counter any potential threat of looting or any other opportunistic crimes during this period.

Prime Minister Holness said the hurricane further highlights the urgent need for global climate action and targeted support to enhance resilience against the escalating dangers of climate change.

“Hurricane Beryl is the earliest category five hurricane on record. It highlights the growing impact of climate change on global weather patterns, particularly on small island developing states like Jamaica. While our carbon emissions are miniscule, our region bears the brunt of the impact of climate change,” he pointed out.

Mr. Holness noted that resilience is critical in addressing crises and unpredictable external shocks.

“Your Government understands that we live in a time of overlapping crises and unpredictable external shocks, not of our making. This means that, as a government and as a people, we must be resilient. We must build the capacity to absorb shocks and recover quickly. We have been through disasters in recent years, including a pandemic, and we have recovered quickly,” he pointed out.

The Prime Minister further stated that the Government has been mainstreaming climate resilience in all its plans and programmes. These include the design and construction of new infrastructure, fiscal arrangements and national security planning.

“We continue to build our reserves to ensure protection against both low and high frequency events. By any measure, as a country, we are more prepared than at any time in our history to handle these shocks.

“Nevertheless, we know that it will bring difficult times during the impact and during the recovery. However, if we bond together as a people, and each of us commits to act as responsible citizens, we can get through this and recover quickly,” he said.

Mr. Holness urges Jamaicans to do all they can to preserve life, listen to the warnings, act wisely, and put away violent response to conflicts that may occur in crises.

“Let’s commit to being our brother’s keeper. Look out for our neighbour, the elderly and infirm. Now is the time that we need community. It is the spirit of community that will pull us through.

“I know there are many Jamaicans praying right now. Please continue to lift Jamaica up in your prayers. With the blessings of God and the vessel of preparation we have made, we will safely ride out the storm,” Prime Minister Holness said.