PRIME Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday assured American taxpayers that all aid received by Jamaica towards Hurricane Beryl relief efforts will be used for that purpose only and will not be siphoned off.

The prime minister, who was speaking during the handing over of US$360,000 worth of relief supplies, which is part of a larger US$2.5-million package from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the grounds of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in St Andrew, said the centralised management of resources was key to the accountability promised.

“It goes directly to ODPEM — the entity that manages these kinds of humanitarian assistance. That means there is a standard for accountability, a standard for use and the United States taxpayers can be assured that whatever is given to Jamaica in response to the relief effort will be well used and used in accordance with the various parameters in place,” Holness said.

Noting that there can be some amount of scepticism as to where donations really go, the prime minister emphasised, “we do have a very strong and robust and accountable institution that manages whatever philanthropy is given. There is always a sense that whatever is given is not properly used and I want to assure all countries and private donors that the Government takes accountability very seriously. The ODPEM knows that that is the policy directive. Whatever is given must be accounted for, to the donor, to the Government of Jamaica and the recipient”.

According to Holness, while it might be thought that accountability should be sidestepped during a crisis, his Administration “is not going to be trapped in that”.

“So be encouraged, anyone who is giving to direct it through ODPEM, through this established system, where there can be reporting and accountability. That is the policy of the Government. There is a standard, crisis or no crisis,” he insisted.

The items handed over include 5,000 shelter fixing kits, 10,000 plastic tarps, 24 water tanks, 1,500 gallons of safe drinking water, mattresses, chainsaws, food vouchers, flashlights and lanterns with batteries, bedding, cleaning and hygiene kits.

Dana Morris Dixon, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for information, skills and digital transformation, in guiding the proceedings said the donations were another manifestation of the strong and enduring partnership between Jamaica and the United States.

“Our diplomatic relationship is a robust and multifaceted partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared values and common interest. This enduring partnership encompasses cooperation in a myriad of areas such as trade, education, security and disaster management,” she said. The United States, she added, has been a vital friend in supporting Jamaica’s development and was the first to provide assistance after the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

United States Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry in his remarks said the handing over of the supplies underscored America’s “unwavering commitment to stand with Jamaica in times of need”.

“The United States Government stands in solidarity with Jamaica,” Perry said.