KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, has announced the allocation of an additional $20 million to assist drought alleviation measures across the island.

“This money, which will be released this week, will be used to support the efforts of ten Municipal Corporations, to intensify the trucking of water to ensure minimum disruption of residential and business activities”, the minister said in a release this evening.

He said that this allocation is an addition to the disbursement of $35 million for drought alleviation that he had announced, as the first phase of the Government’s response on July 11.

“The administration is keenly aware of the concerns being expressed about the effects of the dry spell on the country, and we intend to be responsive to the needs of our citizens.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) have been working together to deliver a comprehensive response to this situation. The MEGJC has made significant investments in the upgrading of catchment systems to ensure that there is maximum capture and delivery of water,” McKenzie said.

The minister also asked for understanding, as climatic conditions unfold in keeping with the forecast of the Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica.

“The Met Service has said that the three-month period of July to September, will reflect higher than normal temperatures with lower than normal levels of rain. These hotter conditions are not limited to Jamaica.

“People in the Americas, inclusive of the central and eastern United States and Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, are suffering from the effects of sustained higher temperatures and heat-waves”, he said.

He added that the Government is constantly monitoring the local situation, and will respond with additional measures as the situation warrants.