The Jamaican Government has officially initiated its comprehensive Hurricane Melissa Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), a multi-billion-dollar national effort to transition from disaster relief to long-term reconstruction. Announced on Thursday at Jamaica House, this coordinated response encompasses housing restoration, community rehabilitation, and the relocation of residents from vulnerable areas.
Led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the SRP incorporates sophisticated digital tracking systems and the use of Taxpayer Registration Numbers (TRN) to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure equitable distribution of aid. Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. emphasized that stringent protocols have been established based on lessons learned from past disasters, including Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which exposed vulnerabilities in benefit disbursement.
A key feature of the programme is its tiered grant system, providing financial assistance of $75,000, $200,000, or $500,000 based on damage assessments already conducted on over 70,000 households. According to ministry data, 18% of assessed homes sustained severe damage, 40% major damage, and 42% minor damage from the October hurricane.
Both Minister Charles Jr. and Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued strong warnings against scammers attempting to exploit vulnerable citizens, clarifying that no fees are associated with SRP applications and that the government does not employ intermediaries for grant processing. Artificial intelligence monitoring is being utilized to identify and remove fraudulent social media accounts impersonating government officials.
The programme includes multiple components: government-led repairs managed by the Jamaica Defence Force, partner-led initiatives through humanitarian organizations, and financial solutions administered by the National Housing Trust. Additionally, the government is expanding its relocation and regularization efforts to move residents from high-risk areas to safer communities.
International support was underscored by Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, who affirmed the organization’s commitment to community-centered recovery approaches that strengthen long-term resilience.