Budget Debate: Gov’t spends $67 billion for hurricane relief and early recovery
The Government has already spent $67 billion as part of its hurricane relief and early recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which devastated southwestern parishes on October 28, 2025.
The expenditure is reflected in the current fiscal year which ends March 31.
The amount includes the US$150 million (J$24 billion) loan to Jamaica Public Service Company to accelerate the restoration of electricity.
“The Cabinet, led by the prime minister, is to be commended for this historic decision…,” Williams said Tuesday as she opened the 2026-2027 Budget Debate at Gordon House. She also acknowledged the input of the financial secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Attorney General’s Office, and Energy Minister Daryl Vaz.
A breakdown of how the $67 billion was allocated shows that $3.39 billion went to the Ministry of Tourism to support recovery of the tourism sector.
● Development Bank of Jamaica received $3 billion for the M5 Business Recovery Programme intended to accelerate Jamaica’s economic recovery and strengthen resilience.
● The Ministry of Water, Environment, Climate Change was allocated $3.25 billion to support the National Water Commission.
● The Ministry of Labour and Social Security was allocated $11.2 billion of which $10 billion was the grants to households under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant family Shelter programme (ROOFS), to persons affected. There was also $155 million in cash transfer for recipients under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), and $32 million for children with disability impacted by the hurricane.
● The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information was allocated $2.3 billion to include $1 million to each of 616 schools identified.
● The Ministry of Health & Wellness got $2.3 billion for relief and recovery.
● The Ministry of Agriculture received $3 billion for relief and recovery within the agriculture and fisheries.
● $1.5 billion went to the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications for its various department and agencies.
● Ministry of Local Government and Community Development was allocated $4.6 billion for NSWMA pre/post hurricane cleanup, central government support to municipal corporations in the amount of $1.35 billion which is included in the $4.6 billion and post-disaster relief efforts of $1 billion to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.
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