Government senators Abka Fitz-Henley and Christian Tavares-Finson say it is important that as many private stakeholders as possible contribute to efforts by the state to return Jamaicans displaced from their homes by Hurricane Melissa into secure shelter.

Fitz-Henley and Tavares-Finson made the call as they returned to several communities in St Elizabeth on Sunday with two truckloads of building supplies, including cement, tarpaulin, zinc and nails, along with water and other relief items, which were complied from private resources.

The supplies were given to residents in need across communities including Black River, Springvale and Middle Quarters in the parish.

Government recently announced that, via the National Housing Trust (NHT), it will procure 5,000 pre‑built container homes for rapid deployment across the island, in order to address urgent housing needs following Hurricane Melissa.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Parliament recently that the administration has examined pre-built containerised modular solutions, and have settled on the decision that that model is appropriate for the Jamaican situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Senators Fitz-Henley and Tavares-Finson told Observer Online that it is important that as many stakeholders bring all hands on deck in the rebuilding effort and supplement formal efforts of the government to return Jamaicans to safe homes.

“The support from private enterprise is always important to supplement what the state is doing. The truth is there are many Jamaicans in the worst affected parishes who do not have shelter and the quicker we assist them the better. The gratitude today was overwhelming to be honest and it has redoubled our resolve to do even more as we push forward in seeking to help as many Jamaicans as possible,” Fitz-Henley, who serves as state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, commented.

Senator Tavares-Finson singled out prominent businessman, Kevin Frith for commendation for his generosity.

“I want to specially commend Mr Frith, who from his own business resources contributed scores of bags of cement to supplement our effort today in St Elizabeth. He is a good example. He also contributed multiple sheets of zinc, which is important in the short term because many of the housing frames in parishes affected which remain without a roof, cannot accommodate a concrete ceiling but the people are in need of temporary shelter, even as we encourage them to seek to transition to more sustainable and disaster-resistant housing,” Tavares-Finson disclosed.

Two weeks ago both senators donated thousands of care packages to communities in western and southern Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa.

“The country has been pivoting to a greater focus on building supplies. That is what people have been enquiring about and we have to respond positively. It is a huge task ahead but look I am optimistic that our country will rise to the challenge and look out for our fellow citizens, some of whom are experiencing their darkest hour following the passage of Melissa,” Fitz-Henley commented.