Government Building Institutional Resilience to Safeguard Public Services in Times of Disaster
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has emphasized that strengthening the resilience and continuity of State institutions is a central pillar of the Government’s disaster response strategy, noting that safeguarding public services during crises requires foresight, planning, and disciplined decision-making.
Addressing the Official Reopening of Business Kiosks and Shops at Border in St. Elizabeth on January 16, 2026, Prime Minister Holness explained that while immediate relief is necessary after a disaster, governments are elected to think beyond the urgent moment and to prepare the country for what comes next.
“Governments are elected to think several steps ahead and to prepare the country for what lies beyond the immediate moment,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the responsibility of leadership to anticipate challenges and protect the functioning of the State during and after emergencies.
Dr. Holness explained that following Hurricane Melissa, the Government took deliberate decisions to strengthen the operational capacity of critical public institutions so that essential services could continue even in adverse conditions.
“After Hurricane Melissa, we can now say that there are many State entities that did not have backup power before that now have backup power,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister noted that generators donated after the hurricane were strategically allocated to State entities to ensure continuity in government operations and to reduce disruption to citizens who depend on public services in times of crisis.
“We took a policy decision that generators would be given to build resilience in the State,” he said, explaining that priority was given to institutions such as the police, the Jamaica Defence Force, hospitals, and parish council offices, which play critical roles in emergency response and public service delivery.
Importantly, Prime Minister Holness also emphasized that resilience building must be accompanied by responsible stewardship of public resources.
“Good government matters,” he said, cautioning that poor decisions during disasters can result in waste and weaken public trust, while careful planning strengthens national capacity and confidence.
Dr. Holness explained that the Government’s response to Hurricane Melissa reflects a broader philosophy of governance, using moments of crisis to strengthen systems and build resilience, leaving Jamaica better prepared for future emergencies with stronger institutions, improved continuity of public services, and a more robust national framework for disaster response.