KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United Nations (UN) has secured US$2.5 million for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica, according to the UN Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu.

Zulu, who made the disclosure during a virtual press conference on Friday, July 5 with UN officials who are assigned to various Caribbean territories, said the Government of Jamaica is leading a “very proactive approach” in response to the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

“The UN has already communicated our readiness to support the Government of Jamaica, and the Government is very receptive to the UN’s support, and the organisation will, with guidelines from the Government, be able, in a tailored response, aid the emergency activities,” Zulu outlined.

He said that the money secured for Jamaica, which is a “special allocation” from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), has the “potential to be expanded,” adding that it will depend on the Government’s assessments and priorities.

“The Government’s response has been activated, and the UN stands ready to assist,” he said, noting that the areas of need have been identified, and the body has also activated its emergency task team in Jamaica, which is co-chaired by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Zulu said further that his team is in “direct contact” with key ministries that are leading the recovery efforts.

“The UN has observed a very responsible and competent Government, which makes our work a bit easier,” he added.

Zulu described the sheltering of persons who have been dislocated by the hurricane as “very effective,” noting that Jamaica has “done well” in managing the effects of the hurricane from earlier work undertaken to build capacity, and he has seen resilience and unity among the population, with people “helping each other” to rebuild, and with provision of food.

The CERF pools contributions from donors, mainly Governments, but also private donors, into a single reserve fund. It allows humanitarian responders to deliver life-saving assistance whenever and where crises hit. The fund is set aside for immediate use, to jump-start critical relief operations.

— JIS