KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced a new Building Support Programme to assist Jamaicans affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Holness made the announcement during Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, noting that the initiative will be an MP-driven support programme designed to fast-track recovery efforts.

Under the programme, $10 million will be allocated to each constituency in the parishes most severely affected by the hurricane, including St Elizabeth, Hanover, St James, Westmoreland, Manchester, and Trelawny. Constituencies in St Ann and Clarendon will receive $5 million each, while all other constituencies across the island will get $3 million to assist with relief and rebuilding efforts.

The prime minister says that while he holds every seat as equal, in a disaster that cannot be upheld.

“I hope that MPs who are not as badly affected will not put pressure on me to make an increased allocation,” he said.

In addition, the prime minister revealed that the National Housing Trust (NHT) has activated a comprehensive support package for its contributors and mortgage holders affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Among the measures is a six-month moratorium on mortgage payments for persons in the worst-affected parishes, including Hanover, St James, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, Manchester, and St Ann.

It is estimated that approximately 20,000 homeowners will benefit from this relief measure.

Also, Holness said the NHT will introduce a special home improvement loan of up to $3.5m at an interest rate of two per cent available to both existing mortgagors and contributors who need to repair and rebuild their homes.

The agency will also offer a special grant of up to $500,000 to contributors whose homes, or those of their immediate family members, were damaged by the hurricane. The grant will be awarded based on verified need and the level of damage sustained.

Prime Minister Holness further noted that, in addition to the $1.5 million in constituency funds provided prior to the hurricane, Members of Parliament will each receive an additional $1.5 million to support emergency response activities such as providing food and medicine to affected residents.