KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of October’s devastating Category Five Hurricane Melissa, the National Education Trust (NET) is making a strategic appeal to donors and humanitarian partners. The agency, operating under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, is urging all recovery assistance to be channeled through its centralized coordination system to maximize efficiency and impact.
Executive Director Latoya Harris-Ghartey articulated the critical need for a unified approach, stating that coordinated support is essential for targeting the most severely affected educational institutions while aligning with national recovery objectives. NET’s unique governmental positioning provides donors with data-driven guidance informed by real-time assessments and policy directives.
Highlighting additional financial incentives, Harris-Ghartey emphasized NET’s registered charity status, which offers donors significant benefits including tax relief and customs waivers. The agency is collaborating with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to ensure cost-efficient procurement through vetted brokers, guaranteeing that ‘donors get the most bang for their buck.’
The cornerstone of NET’s approach is its comprehensive database of hurricane-impacted schools, meticulously compiled through damage assessment surveys. This system enables precise tracking of needs and prevents redundant efforts by directing donors to institutions with unmet requirements. While acknowledging some partners prefer direct school support, NET is implementing enhanced monitoring mechanisms to capture all recovery activities across the education sector.
Donors retain the flexibility to designate contributions to specific institutions, with NET maintaining rigorous accountability protocols. The agency provides detailed reporting on fund utilization, undergoes annual independent audits, and publishes comprehensive activity reports, ensuring full transparency for all cash and in-kind donations.