News from the OPM

 "We are mainstreaming climate resilience in our budgeting process by building buffers and reserves and by literally budgeting for storms." - Prime Minister Holness --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is committed to integrating climate resilience into the budget process and financial planning to enhance the country's ability to recover swiftly from hurricanes and other major weather events. Speaking yesterday (July 8) as he endorsed the Building A Better Jamaica Fund at a media event at Jamaica House, Prime Minister Holness emphasized the proactive measures being taken to mitigate the economic impacts of natural disasters. “It is important and instructive, therefore, that the country understands how the government is treating with this [disaster preparedness]. We have been treating with this by virtue of; one, ensuring that we mainstream climate resilience in everything that we do. So, we are mainstreaming climate resilience in our budgeting process by building buffers and reserves and by literally budgeting for storms," said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness highlighted critical importance of financial prudence of these measures, explaining that the aim is to prevent Jamaica from falling into a cycle of increased borrowing after every climatic event. "What happened before is that every…

“By today, approximately 5,000 families would have received care packages. We are coordinating the continued distribution of food, water and medical sundries to citizens in the most affected areas. We are working in the most affected areas.” - Prime Minister Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a comprehensive initiative, the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programme, aimed at providing immediate and sustained relief to affected communities. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to rapid recovery and support for the hardest-hit communities by Hurricane Beryl last week. Prime Minister Holness highlighted that the REACH programme focuses on distributing food and essential supplies, restoring utilities, providing housing and reconstruction support, and facilitating economic recovery and the restoration of livelihoods. The Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its network of social workers, has already distributed care packages containing canned foods, flour, rice, cooking oil, and other necessities. “These care packages contain enough food for a family of four for four days. By today, approximately 5,000 families would have received care packages. We are coordinating the continued distribution of food, water and medical sundries to citizens in the most affected areas. The work is going on…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed deep sadness following the tragic passing of Ms. Icilda James, who was found deceased in a pond in Dumfries, St. James, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Speaking in Parliament today, where he reported on the impact of the storm and Jamaica’s recovery plan, the Prime Minister acknowledged the passing of three Jamaicans during the storm, with the latest victim being Ms. James. Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the measures put in place during the hurricane under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) are not meant to restrict freedom but to protect lives. The Government of Jamaica remains steadfast in its commitment to aiding those affected by Hurricane Beryl and ensuring the safety and well-being of the nation’s citizens.

“In the past, there has been a less than structured way in the delivery of emergency relief, and that has led to criticisms about the transparency, even accusations of political bias in the dispensation and distribution of relief to needy citizens. It would be a real travesty if such criticisms were made. So I want to assure Jamaica that whatever we do, there must be systems of accountability and transparency.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured the nation that there will be transparency and accountability in the government's disaster response mechanisms to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in parts of the country. The Prime Minister emphasized that relief benefits will reach those in need without political favouritism or partisanship. During a visit to several areas in southern Jamaica on July 4, Prime Minister Holness conducted a damage assessment of the impact of Hurricane Beryl and outlined the government's plan to provide relief to those affected. “We are currently in the disaster response phase, where the first step is the assessment. We want to wrap up the assessment very quickly, and then that assessment will help us curate a response. So, we begin to see…

“In the past, there has been a less than structured way in the delivery of emergency relief, and that has led to criticisms about the transparency, even accusations of political bias in the dispensation and distribution of relief to needy citizens. It would be a real travesty if such criticisms were made. So I want to assure Jamaica that whatever we do, there must be systems of accountability and transparency.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured the nation that there will be transparency and accountability in the government's disaster response mechanisms to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in parts of the country. The Prime Minister emphasized that relief benefits will reach those in need without political favouritism or partisanship. During a visit to several areas in southern Jamaica on July 4, Prime Minister Holness conducted a damage assessment of the impact of Hurricane Beryl and outlined the government's plan to provide relief to those affected. “We are currently in the disaster response phase, where the first step is the assessment. We want to wrap up the assessment very quickly, and then that assessment will help us curate a response. So, we begin to see…

 “In the past, even with a low severity weather event, it would throw our financial and fiscal affairs into deficit. We would have to go and borrow to recover. We have managed to make a change in that, and we are not expecting to have to do significant borrowing. So, we have created buffers.” -Prime Minister Holness  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has signalled that his administration does not intend to impose new taxes to address the relief and recovery efforts. Prime Minister Holness asserts that the Government of Jamaica remains committed to a recovery strategy that avoids imposing new taxes or incurring significant debt. Speaking while assessing the damage to southern areas of Jamaica which were badly affected by Hurricane Beryl, the Prime Minister highlighted the proactive fiscal management strategies that have positioned Jamaica to effectively respond to natural disasters such as major Hurricanes without further burdening its citizens. “In the past, even with a low severity weather event, it would throw our financial and fiscal affairs into deficit. We would have to go and borrow to recover. We have managed to make a change in that, and we are not expecting to have to do significant borrowing, so, we have…

“I'm very, very lifted in this community by virtue of just the ethic that has been displayed. Yes, people have been displaced; yes, they have damage, but their spirits are high. They are very optimistic. They are very positive. And yes, they're looking for help from the government, but you get the sense that they are mobilizing.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Andrew Holness has commended the resilient and positive spirit displayed by the people of Jamaica in the aftermath of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl. The Hurricane brushed Jamaica with the eye of the storm passing just south of the southern section of the island. During his tour to assess the damage on Thursday (July 4), Prime Minister Holness emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and proactive efforts in the recovery process. In the communities hardest hit by the hurricane, the Prime Minister said he observed commendable community ethic and high spirits among the residents and despite the displacement and damage, the people of Jamaica have remained optimistic and positive. “I'm very, very lifted in this community by virtue of just the ethic that has been displayed, yes, people have been displaced, yes, they have damage, but…

 "The best way to recover is when victims also takes responsibility and say, I am going to do what I can do. The government is going to move quickly, and we are going to try and do as best as we can, but when that is paired with victims who have agency who decide to do what they can, the recovery process will be much faster.” - Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Prime Minister Andrew Holness conducted an aerial and ground assessment of the damage caused by the Category four Hurricane. The Prime Minister looked at areas such as Kingston and St Andrew Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine, Rocky Point and Portland Cottage in Clarendon, Alligator Pond in South Manchester and several areas of St Elizabeth and will be touring other areas of the country. Speaking while in St. Elizabeth, Prime Minister Holness said he has a clear picture of the damage. “I was able to get a very, broad perspective of the damage. We had some amount of coastal impact based upon the wave actions and storm surges, but not to the point where we would say it was significant. We saw some…

"The government's response is to get electricity and utilities back on board, and we are working with the utility companies. We've been given regular updates, and they are moving as quickly as possible." - Prime Minister Holness ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured the nation of the government's swift response to restore electricity and other public utilities following the passage of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl that left significant damage across parts of Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness on Thursday (July 4) toured sections of the worst affected areas and highlighted the urgency of getting essential services back online and assisting displaced residents. "The government's response is to get electricity and utilities back on board, and we are working with the utility companies. We've been given regular updates, and they are moving as quickly as possible," Prime Minister Holness stated. In addition to restoring utilities, the government will also provide recovery and relief support to displaced residents and work to revive local economies. "The next level of service would be to help people who have been displaced; those who can't live in their homes, and their circumstances are very uncomfortable. We will help them to get back on their feet. We…