WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has disbursed more than $2 billion to Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Melissa, with over 2,000 Westmoreland residents receiving $787.5 million in the latest round of payments under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelter (ROOFS) Programme.

During Thursday’s Grant Handover Ceremony in Savanna-la-Mar, Minister Pearnel Charles Jr outlined the allocations: 827 households with severe damage will receive $500,000 each ($413.5 million), 1,844 households with major damage will get $200,000 each ($368.8 million), and 70 households with minor damage received prepaid cards worth $75,000 each ($5.25 million).

The assistance is structured across three damage categories : Minor, Major, and Severe, to ensure equity and responsiveness to the level of loss experienced by each household.

Minister Charles in closing reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that support reaches families in a timely and transparent manner.

This second batch of payments follows the Government’s initial handover ceremony in St Elizabeth on January 30 and underscores the ministry’s continued commitment to restoring safe, secure housing and accelerating recovery for families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The Westmoreland handover is part of the ministry’s parish-by-parish rollout, which continues this week in Hanover, St James, Trelawny and St Ann.