Fri | Feb 27, 2026

$334M being disbursed to Hanover households under ‘ROOFS’ hurricane recovery programme

Published:Friday | February 27, 2026 | 11:57 AM
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), presents a cheque to Hanover resident, Ena Campbell (second left), who lost her home during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year. The occasion was the Hanover leg of the Rest
JIS News
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), presents a cheque to Hanover resident, Ena Campbell (second left), who lost her home during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year. The occasion was the Hanover leg of the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative handover ceremony, held at the Hanover Parish Church Hall in Lucea on February 25. Also participating are (from left), State Minister in the Labour Ministry, Donovan Williams, and Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, Andrea Purkiss.

A total of $334 million is being distributed to 1,217 households in Hanover under the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative, as part of ongoing recovery efforts, following Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Labour and Social Security,Pearnel Charles Jr., made the announcement during the Hanover leg of the ROOFS handover ceremony, held at the Hanover Parish Church Hall in Lucea on Wednesday.

He explained that $75,000 has been earmarked for each of the 123 individuals classified under the minor category, $200,000 for each of the 740 persons in the major category, and $500,000 for each of the 354 persons in the severe category, amounting to approximately $334 million.

Charles Jr emphasised that the ceremony represents the formal parish launch of the targeted disbursement but noted that additional beneficiaries will receive support beyond those present.

He underscored that the initiative forms part of a structured and accountable verification process, designed to safeguard public funds.

Under the programme, beneficiaries in the minor damage category will receive a $75,000 rehabilitation grant, while those in the major and severe categories will receive $200,000 and $500,000, respectively, primarily to purchase building materials.

“What is also important to note is that if you’re in the minor category, that $75,000 is a rehabilitation grant. It means you can use that money to do whatever you think is best for you. You can use it to buy books if the books were destroyed. You can use it to buy a mattress. You can use it to help with whatever… anything that you need to help you,” Charles stated.

The Minister further outlined that beneficiaries in the major and severe categories will receive funds through a secure digital payment system.

“That QR code is linked to your identification,” he stated, urging recipients to carry valid identification when accessing funds.

Providing broader context, Minister Charles noted that nearly 97,000 household assessments have been conducted nationwide since the hurricane, and commended Ministry teams who continued serving communities despite being personally affected.

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to prioritising those most severely impacted, as well as the most vulnerable, noting that senior citizens and persons with disabilities will receive special consideration.

The ROOFS initiative forms part of Jamaica’s wider disaster recovery framework, with the Minister highlighting that the country had pre positioned funding to enable a rapid response after the hurricane.

“We have been able… to put aside money before the hurricane that we can be here talking about $10 billion to come to you,” he said.

Charles Jr assured residents that the Hanover disbursement marks the beginning of ongoing support across the parish.

- JIS News

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