More than $500 million earmarked to fund Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project

Just over half a billion dollars has been allocated by the government to continue efforts to reduce the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change.

A total of $517.8 million has been earmarked in the 2018-19 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to fund the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project.

The four-year project, which began in April 2016 and is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), aims to enhance the country’s resilience to disaster and climate risk.

So far, works carried out under the project include the construction of a new seismic station, six seismic vaults, and 16 accelerograph bases with fibreglass housings.

Grounding and lightning protection at four seismic field stations have been installed, as well as a new solar system at the central recording station at the University of the West Indies.

The preliminary designs for three fire stations have been done, with the final designs expected to be completed and contracts tendered for works this year.

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