TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has expressed concern for families displaced in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, describing the images emerging from the community as disturbing, as he noted the Government’s immediate humanitarian response.

“The incident is quite concerning, and many of the images that we have seen are disturbing. My heart goes out to the families who have been displaced. I see a particular image of a newborn and the mother being displaced,” Holness said.

“Immediately we mobilised resources from ODPEM and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to assist, because technically it was a disaster. And we have been able to respond to the humanitarian crisis that has been created,” the prime minister said.

Holness said the specific circumstances surrounding the incident are complex and involve court rulings on which he is being properly advised. He has committed to addressing the specific matter when the full details are available.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian response, the prime minister said the incident underscores the need for Jamaica to confront the long-standing challenge of informal settlements in a manner that is compassionate, fair, and sustainable.

“There is a longer-term response that is necessary. So whatever the Government does, it has to address the issue of informality. We have to speak straight about it,” he said.

Holness was unequivocal that squatting and the illegal occupation of land cannot be endorsed, while stressing that Jamaicans must have meaningful opportunities to access land and housing.

“Squatting is wrong; informal settlement is not encouraged, but yes, every single Jamaican should have equal opportunity to get access to land and housing,” he said.

“We will have to find ways to support those families who are impacted. But whatever our response is, we have to be careful that we don’t set a precedent that is not sustainable,” Holness said.

He further committed to developing a structured programme to tackle the wider issue of informal settlements, building on the Government’s existing approach to providing housing solutions for Jamaicans in need.

“In the same way, we have developed this programme, where every week I’m delivering a house to someone who is in need. It is the same way that we will develop a programme to address squatter communities, irregularly settled communities, formalise them, regularise them, and prevent further squatting and informal settlement,” Holness said.

The prime minister said the Government’s approach will therefore be twofold: addressing the circumstances of families already living in irregular settlements while taking decisive steps to prevent the continued expansion of squatting.