KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security has announced significant progress in its post-hurricane reconstruction initiative, with the Restoration of Owner-Occupants Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme having disbursed $8.25 billion of its total $10 billion allocation. This substantial financial injection represents a major escalation in support for households devastated by Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact last October.
The recent funding surge of $3 billion will extend vital assistance to approximately 14,000 additional beneficiaries, marking a critical expansion of the government’s relief efforts. Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. emphasized the administration’s dedication to maintaining robust support systems for affected families, stating: “We are committed to strengthening our systems and operations to meet the growing demand, and we will continue working to ensure that as many families as possible receive the support they need to rebuild.”
Beneficiaries are currently obtaining construction materials through an expanding network of hardware suppliers coordinated by service provider WiPay. Minister Charles Jr. confirmed that ROOFS Programme funds remain fully available despite reports of accessibility challenges. Some difficulties have emerged at collection points, primarily due to beneficiaries arriving outside designated operating hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) and limited locations facilitating the $75,000 cash grants intended for urgent repairs.
In response, corrective measures are being implemented to increase cash-out locations across the island. WiPay Country Manager Kibwe McGann assured beneficiaries that “all approved allocations are fully secured and available for disbursement. There is no limitation in funding, and payments to beneficiaries are continuing on an ongoing basis.”
The ministry continues to issue notifications via text message with QR and voucher codes, urging prompt redemption upon receipt. Regular updates regarding new collection points are being communicated through official channels at www.mlss.gov.jm and Instagram (@mlssjamaica), with real-time location accessibility available through WiPay’s platform at npcja.com.
The ROOFS programme provides tiered financial assistance based on damage severity: $75,000 for minor damage, $200,000 for major damage, and $500,000 for extreme damage cases resulting from the Category 5 hurricane.