Prime Minister Andrew Holness Expedites Aid Distribution for Hurricane Beryl Victims

Prime Minister Andrew Holness Expedites Aid Distribution for Hurricane Beryl Victims

The Jamaican Government has initiated the distribution of financial assistance to residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the move during a ceremony at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s head office in Kingston on Monday, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action.

Prime Minister Holness revealed that he has instructed the labour ministry to expedite the disbursement process, ensuring that aid reaches those affected as quickly as possible. He also called on ministry staff to approach their work with compassion and empathy, recognizing the dire circumstances many Jamaicans are facing.

“I appeal to staffers at the ministry, to your better conscience, to your love of country, to put in the effort to ensure that your fellow Jamaicans, many of whom have no bed, have no clothes, have nowhere to live, their children don’t know how they’re going to go back to school. Be prepared to show compassion and to put in the effort, show empathy for the people who are suffering, push through and deliver these benefits to them as quickly as possible,” Holness urged.

In his address, Holness highlighted the swift response of his administration, contrasting it with the delayed response following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. After Hurricane Beryl struck Jamaica on July 3, the Government acted quickly, announcing by July 9 a comprehensive assistance package, including $1 billion for house rebuilding and repair efforts.

Holness pointed out that the current response is markedly faster and more substantial than the aid provided after Hurricane Ivan, which took over a month to be announced. At that time, the assistance was much smaller, with $20,000 for severe or total damage and $7,000 to $5,000 for other levels of damage. In contrast, the current government is distributing $400,000 for total home loss, $150,000 for severe damage, and $50,000 for minor damage—all from the Government’s own funds.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in the disbursement process, noting that the steps taken were necessary to ensure the proper use of funds. He credited his administration’s prudent fiscal management for enabling a quicker and more robust response, compared to the reliance on international grants that was necessary after Hurricane Ivan.

“When we were hit by Ivan, we had to rely on $3.3 billion of grants, most of it would have come from the European Union along with from our American and Canadian partners. Today, by virtue of the positive change in our fiscal management and fiscal arrangements, we have put in place buffers and insurance for which we can draw down for the immediate response, $5 billion of your own funds, in addition to insurance funds, so that we can respond to our own management of the disaster,” Holness reiterated.

During his address, Holness referenced an article published by the Jamaica Information Service in 2004, where then Labour Minister, the late Donald Buchanan, commented on the government’s role in disaster relief. Buchanan had argued against the use of vouchers for disaster relief, citing concerns about corruption and instead advocated for direct cash payments to beneficiaries.

As Jamaica marks this milestone in its recovery from Hurricane Beryl, the Prime Minister’s remarks reflect a commitment to ensuring that affected Jamaicans receive the help they need promptly, while also maintaining transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds. The government’s proactive approach and financial preparedness have been crucial in delivering much-needed assistance to those impacted by the storm.

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