Thousands of Vulnerable Jamaicans to Benefit from Solidarity Programme

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says thousands of vulnerable Jamaicans will receive direct cash support as part of the Government’s push to help the country recover from Hurricane Melissa.

This will be done through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) Solidarity Programme, which was highlighted at a ‘Solidarity Live: Community Engagement’ event, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on December 12.

Dr. Holness told journalists that the initiative is to provide a one-time grant of $20,000 to 50,000 individuals as part of the country’s broader recovery and social protection efforts.

“This programme was conceived many months before Hurricane Melissa but has come in very handy and the MLSS is now going to fast-track the implementation of the Solidarity Programme,” he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the programme has two main components designed to strengthen Jamaica’s social safety net.

He noted that, first, the initiative will target individuals who fall outside the formal social protection system, including young people who are unemployed, older persons and those aged 75 years and over who are not receiving NIS benefits and social pension, among other benefits.

“Those who are especially vulnerable, those are the ones that we will target. The Solidarity Programme is a conditional cash transfer and the condition for the cash transfer is that you become formalised,” Dr. Holness explained.

He added that the second component of the programme focuses on identification and registration.

Many Jamaicans who are vulnerable or distressed lack proper documentation, such as a birth certificate, Tax Registration Number (TRN) or national identification, the Prime Minister said.

He pointed out that through the Solidarity Programme, individuals without these documents are assisted in obtaining them and are registered for other relevant social programmes, including social pension, health support through the National Health Fund (NHF) and employment or training opportunities.

“All that we’re doing here today is about being able to properly identify beneficiaries. So, if you don’t have your TRN, if you don’t have your national identification, we’re going to help you to get those documents, so that when we are giving out the benefits, we can account,” the Prime Minister said.

For his part, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., pointed out that the Solidarity engagement in the town demonstrated leadership by example and reflected the Government’s commitment to being present at the community level.

He indicated that the support being delivered is both practical and strategic, with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children who have been affected by the hurricane.