This newspaper welcomes news that a hurricane relief fund set up by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is now close to $2 billion.

As everyone knows, much, much more will be needed from every legitimate quarter as Jamaica struggles to cope with easily its worst disaster of modern times.

As Jamaicans at home and abroad have heard by now, estimates from reputable sources are placing damage at billions of US dollars — possibly in excess of US$10 billion.

Such was the scale of destruction we give thanks that the hurricane crossed over land during daylight hours. There’s no doubt, in our view, that had it crossed after nightfall, the death toll would have exceeded, by a considerable distance, the current 45 — with some people still listed as missing.

We are especially pleased and proud that our parent company, the ATL Group, has played an exemplary role in stepping forward to assist employees with financial aid and relief supplies, as well as the wider Jamaica in the aftermath of Melissa.

In accepting the latest donation to the private sector relief fund — a $5-million cheque from Victoria Mutual Group — PSOJ President Mr Metry Seaga correctly hailed the “commitment of the business community” to Jamaica’s recovery.

In respect to employers’ support for workers, we applaud the Government’s initiative to facilitate tax-free honorarium up to $200,000 for assistance to wage earners hit by the storm.

We believe this move can go a far way in encouraging employers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet, to see their way clear in giving a helping hand to workers.

At a wider level, this is a time, more than any other in our lifetime, for everyone to help others in whatever way they can.

Projects such as the police’s Children’s Advocacy, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) helping children recover from hurricane-triggered trauma by way of emotional support and recreation show the way.

Also, Berger Paints Jamaica gifting 1,000 drums to help the National Solid Waste Management Authority in its drive — understandably slow and difficult — to clean up Jamaica, post-Melissa.

It is in that context of selflessness that we contend that Prime Minister Andrew Holness was on point this week as he urged high-end property developers and investors to consider building projects for low-income earners.

Dr Holness told developers of the luxury residential project The Pinnacle that “…the Government is willing to partner with you if you were to put some of your construction skills into providing low-income housing, which is absolutely necessary at this time, given the destruction wrought by Hurricane Melissa”.

The prime minister was also bang on target when he said that the Government acknowledges “the sensitivity that we can’t be celebrating luxury when there are thousands of households without roofs”.

Additionally, one cannot discount the relevance of his argument that, as Jamaica rebuilds, it will need to happen “at scale and at pace”.

Said Dr Holness: “That’s how we’re going to bring the entire Jamaica together, that’s how luxury is going to help to bring people out of poverty… the intersection of our interests.”

We agree completely.