ST JAMES, Jamaica – The Government has entered a new phase of post-disaster response as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security intensifies house-to-house assessments across the island in the wake of the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., told JIS that the detailed evaluations being conducted are critical to ensuring citizens can access government benefits in the weeks ahead.

He made the remarks during a tour of St Ann on Wednesday, where the ministry’s team distributed care packages and other relief supplies to complement the day’s on-site damage assessments.

Charles urged residents to cooperate with the social workers and volunteers who are visiting their communities.

“Ensure that you show them what’s taking place, and if you have a neighbour that is not home at that time, give them (social workers) the information so that they can return to do the assessments,” he added.

The minister noted that while Hurricane Melissa impacted every parish, western Jamaica sustained the heaviest damage.

Charles indicated that social workers were deployed immediately after the Category 5 system’s passage on October 28, beginning their outreach in the more accessible areas to ensure timely assistance.

He informed that operations have now been strategically intensified in the most severely affected western areas, with the aim of accelerating both relief distribution and damage assessments.

In the meantime, Charles advised that, alongside ongoing assessments and relief distribution, parish offices remain open to citizens seeking support or wishing to report losses, underscoring the Administration’s commitment to achieving full restoration.

“The ministry… is focused on ensuring that no one is left behind. This includes people with disabilities, senior citizens, our PATH (Programme of Advancement through Health and Education) beneficiaries and every single pensioner. We are focusing on ensuring that everyone, including our vulnerable groups, know that they are valued and we will get to them where they need the support the most,” he added.

The day’s tour included stops in Norwood, Cave Valley, Aboukir High School, Knapdale, and Sturge Town, among other communities.

Charles indicated that the team continued to engage residents directly, listening to their concerns and providing tangible support such as food packages, mattresses, hygiene kits, and other relief items.

“The Members of Parliament, Zavia Mayne and Krystal Lee, have been very good in embracing us, carrying us across their constituencies and really showing us the impact of the devastation from Hurricane Melissa. Many people don’t realise how bad it is in St Ann, but we are on the ground… our social workers are out,” he added.

– JIS