PRIME Minister Andrew Holness says the Government will shortly appoint a committee to review Jamaica’s overall response mechanism to natural disasters and make suggestions aimed at strengthening this system.

This commitment comes following the passage of Hurricane Beryl last month from which some Jamaicans in the worst-hit parishes are still recovering. Some citizens remain without electricity and water since the weather system hit the island on July 3.

“Notwithstanding that we are in the best position ever to respond to and recover from shocks and disasters, there are still areas in which we must continue to build our resilience,” Holness said in his Independence Message 2024.

He noted that as the country celebrates its Independence, “we must be mindful that many Jamaicans across the island have been significantly affected and may not be able to enjoy the celebrations as usual”.

Holness said that while the relief and recovery effort has been generally quick and effective, the Government is sensitive to the hardships that some areas continue to experience while the recovery is underway.

“As a caring nation and Government, we are sensitive to the needs and displacement of those worst-affected, and we stand in meaningful solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have lost their houses, their roofs, their livelihoods or are without electricity and water currently,” he said.

The prime minister said that alongside the Government’s significant provision of relief and care support, he is appreciative of the tremendous outpouring of local relief initiatives.

“I want to recognise and thank all our local corporate, religious, civic entities and private individuals who have organised relief packages and support for our brothers and sisters affected by the hurricane. Our diaspora has also been active along with the international and multilateral community in supporting Jamaica’s relief effort and I want to thank them as well,” he said.

He noted that the Government has so far allocated more than $5 billion to the relief, recovery and reconstruction effort, of which $1 billion will assist households in the form of grants of $400,000 for destroyed houses, $150,000 for major damage, and $50,000 for minor damage.

“We understand the urgency of the situation and we have already begun disbursing the grants to ensure that persons affected can start rebuilding their lives and livelihood,” he said.

The Ministry of Education and Youth, he said, has already started to repair schools that were damaged to ensure that most schools will be able to reopen on time for the beginning of the school year; and that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is also fully mobilised to assist farmers and fishers restart their production.

Holness, at the same time, reiterated that the Government is not satisfied with the pace at which electricity is being returned to some rural communities by utility provider Jamaica Public Service (JPS).

“The Government and the Office of the Utilities Regulation will continue to hold JPS to account for the expected service standards all Jamaicans deserve,” he said.