Cabinet to finalise hurricane reconstruction assistance programme for affected persons – PM

Cabinet is set on Monday to decide the levels of financial assistance as well as building material support to be provided to households affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking in Black River, St Elizabeth, last night at a New Year fireworks show, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness disclosed that more than 50,000 damage assessments across the affected areas of the island, including heavily impacted communities in Black River, have been completed.

Holness said the exercise will be used to determine the level of assistance to be provided, using factors such as complete or partial damage to homes.

Previously, he indicated that the government plans to move from providing relief aid to affected persons to a cash voucher system.

Holness told attendees at the fireworks show that the determination of assistance will be guided by a structured and transparent assessment framework, ensuring support reaches those most in need.

“The assistance has to be done on assessment. We have to come and look at your house and look at your needs, because at the end of the day this is about helping the needy and not the greedy,” Holness said.

He said Cabinet will finalise categories that will classify homes as having suffered minor, major, or severe damage, with corresponding levels of support attached to each category.

He stressed that eligibility will require proper identification and clear evidence of hurricane-related damage.

Holness said the Government is determined to avoid duplication and inequity in the distribution process.

“We are not going to be doing it in a way where people get multiple benefits. We want everybody to get a benefit, so it will be managed in a transparent and well-run way,” he noted.

He added that the assistance programme forms part of a broader recovery strategy aimed at restoring roofs, livelihoods, and basic stability for families, while laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient reconstruction of communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

- Albert Ferguson

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