Mon | Sep 16, 2024

Ministry’s ‘Rebuild Jamaica Initiative’ enters second week

Published:Friday | September 6, 2024 | 12:06 AM
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Beneficiaries of the Rebuild Jamaica Initiative proudly receive their cheques during the official handover at the Morant Villas Hotel on Tuesday, September 3. From left are: Dr Michelle Charles, member of parliament for St Thomas Eastern; Shellion Bogle; L
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Beneficiaries of the Rebuild Jamaica Initiative proudly receive their cheques during the official handover at the Morant Villas Hotel on Tuesday, September 3. From left are: Dr Michelle Charles, member of parliament for St Thomas Eastern; Shellion Bogle; Leanora Breckenridge; and Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security.
Labour ministry officials and beneficiaries share in a photo at the ceremony for the presentation of a symbolic cheque of $150,000 to residents of St Thomas impacted by Hurricane Beryl. From left: Audrey Deer Williams, chief technical director for the Soci
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Labour ministry officials and beneficiaries share in a photo at the ceremony for the presentation of a symbolic cheque of $150,000 to residents of St Thomas impacted by Hurricane Beryl. From left: Audrey Deer Williams, chief technical director for the Social Security Division of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Elaine Dayle; Veronica Perry; Dr Michelle Charles, member of parliament for St Thomas Eastern; Joy Williams; Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security; Denvil Smith; and Luis Chin, mayor of Morant Bay.
Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security, with Arleen Waul, a beneficiary of the Rebuild Jamaica initiative, during the Rebuild Jamaica cheque handover at the Morant Villas Hotel in St Thomas on Tuesday, September 3.
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Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security, with Arleen Waul, a beneficiary of the Rebuild Jamaica initiative, during the Rebuild Jamaica cheque handover at the Morant Villas Hotel in St Thomas on Tuesday, September 3.
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The labour ministry is continuing assistance to residents who were severely impacted by the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, through its disaster relief programme the ‘Rebuild Jamaica Initiative’.The hurricane relief effort aims to help persons to recover their livelihoods and rebuild stronger and more resilient homes. The second week of scheduled activities commenced on Tuesday, September 3, at the Morant Villas Hotel in St Thomas.

Addressing the beneficiaries in St Thomas, Minister Pearnel Charles Jr said, “Jamaica is a remarkably resilient country where, despite adversities, we can rebuild even stronger. The Rebuild Jamaica cheque handover tour symbolises renewed hope for the people of St Thomas and, by extension, all Jamaicans whose lives were significantly disrupted by the hurricane on July 3. The ministry is here to ensure that no one is left behind because every individual is important. We stand united and will emerge triumphant.”

Approximately 104 individuals received hurricane relief cheques valued at $11,800,000 during the handover ceremony in St Thomas.

“Each stop made by the ministry to distribute relief cheques across the island will be a promise kept – and will become a promise made reminding each recipient that your Government is here with you, standing shoulder to shoulder. This initiative was implemented to support the most vulnerable and goes far beyond monetary value but is about restoring joy and hope to all recipients,” Charles emphasised.

To mobilise swift hurricane relief efforts, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica Red Cross, Food for the Poor, the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The ministry will conduct the next series of cheque handovers in the coming days to provide financial relief to citizens across the island. The distribution schedule is as follows:

Thursday, September 5, at the Montego Bay Civic Centre at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 5, at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, St Ann Parish Office at 2 p.m., and Friday, September 6, at the Anglican Church Hall in St Mary at 10 a.m.