KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has clarified that the previously announced $75 million to support affected churches in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa will be geared towards cleaning up activities.

“We are doing a national clean-up exercise right across the island, but particularly in the five affected parishes that have been severely damaged. We have said that we have reserved $75 million out of the total clean-up fund projected to be used for churches to undertake a clean-up of their properties,” Holness said.

On December 23, Holness announced that the $75 million allocation to the Social Development Commission would support churches and faith-based institutions in their post Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

The announcement had received public criticism, including from Member of Parliament (MP) for St Catherine South Western, Everald Warmington, who argued that the funds should be redirected towards housing and other social needs.

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However, in an update shared via X on Tuesday, the prime minister said the fund is not geared towards rebuilding but to assist churches in cleaning up their properties.

“This is not for rebuilding, but there are many churches that are still in that position where they have not been able to remove debris from their facilities that have been destroyed. Roof collapse, walls collapse, and it will take some support for them to remove debris, clean up, so that they can get reconstruction going,” Holness added.

The prime minister said churches can access the funds by reaching out to their local Social Development Commission (SDC) office, which will conduct an assessment before funds are allocated.

“The state couldn’t take on the cost of reconstructing churches, so there obviously was some great misunderstanding. What we have offered is a part of the national clean-up exercise,” Holness clarified.

The prime minister said that in past disasters, provisions were made for churches to borrow funds for reconstruction through the National Housing Trust (NHT). This, he noted, is being developed as discussions continue with the umbrella group of churches.

Several churches in western Jamaica sustained severe damage following the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on October 28.