KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government is initiating a major phase in its post-hurricane reconstruction efforts with the formal commencement of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) this Friday. The official handover ceremony, taking place at the St Elizabeth parish office in Santa Cruz, signifies the transition from damage assessment to active implementation of housing assistance for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr will preside over the ceremony that launches the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative. This critical component provides grant-based support to households whose residences suffered damage during the hurricane, with allocations determined by rigorous damage verification processes.
Minister Charles Jr emphasized the program’s foundation in accountability and evidence-based need assessment. “The Government of Jamaica is committed to a disciplined, people-centred approach to post-disaster recovery,” he stated. “We’ve established a data-driven recovery system guided by the principle of ‘one household, one coordinated recovery pathway’ where support is determined by verified need rather than discretion.”
The comprehensive SRP framework represents a nationally coordinated effort to restore safe living conditions while eliminating duplication across recovery initiatives. Managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the program integrates multiple approaches including cash-based recovery, government-directed repairs, partner-led reconstruction, relocation solutions, and pathways to long-term housing support.
Financial assistance under ROOFS is tiered according to damage severity: $75,000 for minor damage, $200,000 for major damage, and $500,000 for severely affected properties. With a substantial $10 billion allocation, the program prioritizes vulnerable groups including seniors, persons with disabilities, and households that endured the most severe impacts.
Minister Charles Jr characterized the handover as a pivotal moment in the government’s recovery operations, noting that “households begin to visibly receive assistance following months of assessments and close coordination with Members of Parliament, municipal corporations, and our implementing partners.”