State Minister Lauds Resilient Spirit of Residents of Westmoreland

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams, has commended the resilient spirit of residents in communities across Westmoreland as the Government continues its post-Hurricane Melissa response efforts.

Mr. Williams, who toured some of the affected areas on Wednesday (November 12), told JIS News that the visit formed part of a comprehensive, multi-agency response aimed at providing direct assistance to residents whose homes and livelihoods were impacted by the hurricane.

“We are here as part of the Government’s post-Hurricane Melissa response, assisting community members in various ways, from distributing care packages to addressing roofing needs. We have found that many residents are working together, helping each other to rebuild. The Jamaican community spirit is alive and well here,” Mr. Williams said.

He noted that the team visited communities such as Mint Road and Crowder, where they distributed mattresses, tarpaulins and other supplies to affected households.

Mr. Williams praised the strong sense of unity displayed by residents, highlighting that many had already begun repairs to their homes with help from their neighbours.

“You can see that people are upbeat and hopeful. They’ve come together in true community spirit, assisting one another and showing great resilience,” he noted.

“The Government will continue to expand its recovery efforts across the parish, and agencies, such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, will return to conduct detailed assessments to provide further support,” he outlined.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Zavia Mayne, who accompanied the team, said the day’s activities reflected the Government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the recovery process.

“It was a comprehensive day. We had the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the Social Development Commission (SDC) all on the ground,” Mr. Mayne said.

“In addition to the humanitarian aid provided, agencies collected vital data for follow-up assessments to ensure that residents receive the help they need,” he added.

He shared that more than 450 care packages were distributed during the visit, along with mattresses, blankets and tarpaulins.

The State Minister also commended the residents for their cooperation and optimism, despite the challenges posed by the storm.

“The community spirit here is strong. People have pooled their resources to help each other, and there is great trust and confidence in the Government’s ongoing efforts,” Mr. Mayne said.