KINGSTON, Jamaica — Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon has announced the establishment of several Cabinet subcommittees to spearhead the Government’s recovery and relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The announcement was made during a media briefing on Friday, where Morris Dixon outlined the composition and focus of the committees, which are designed to coordinate and accelerate the national response.

At the centre of the initiative is the Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee, which will guide the overall recovery process. This committee is co-chaired by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz.

Other members of the oversight committee include ministers Pearnel Charles Jr, Matthew Samuda, Andrew Wheatley, Kamina Johnson Smith, and Dana Morris Dixon.

Ex-officio members will include ministers Fayval Williams and Audrey Marks.

In addition, Morris Dixon announced the creation of a private sector committee, aimed at coordinating contributions and investments from the business community in the recovery process. This committee will be co-chaired by Senator Keith Duncan and Marks, and is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Friday at 4:00 pm.

Further, Minister Olivia Grange has been assigned to mobilise the church community to support relief activities, while Minister Robert Montague has been tasked with developing a plan to reconnect families displaced or separated by the hurricane.

The committees are expected to begin their work immediately, focusing on restoring essential services, providing relief to affected families, and supporting long-term reconstruction.