Hurricane Beryl cheques a lifeline for residents

Despite battling health challenges including diabetes, which resulted in him losing some of his toes, Sessil Brown, 72, had a reason to smile yesterday as he received a grant under the Rebuild Jamaica initiative.

The 72-year-old retired plumber from Old Harbour, St Catherine, was among the 96 beneficiaries of the initiative which was launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on August 5 to address the urgent needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl. The grant handover took place at the HEART College of Construction Services in Portmore. Using a walker, Brown collected his grant and expressed gratitude and thanks.

" I never expect certain things so I am glad I got the grant, it can help a lot," he said. Brown said that he plans to use the funds to repair his home which also suffered extensive damage.

"I will fix up my house and do what I can to be happy. I am going to need more help because the house bottom need to be put in, windows and certain things rotten down. But mi quite satisfied with this mi nah lie," he said, as he remained optimistic.

"See my six toe them cut off because mi diabetic, so mi can't work as how I want. But I give thanks for life," he said with a touch of humour. Valrie English, a 69-year-old from Ewarton, also in St Catherine, who relies on PATH benefits, received $150,000. Although appreciative, she said that she faces ongoing struggles.

"I feel a little happy but I don't get everything back as yet. Three-quarters of the house still not going to get repaired. Only two rooms with the money they gave [can be repaired]," she said. English, who has a four-bedroom house, noted that her furniture was also lost.

"If mi even get back a mattress for now 'cause we did haffi a sleep pon the bed bottom, but we sun it, dry it and sleep pon it same way," she added. English, who cares for six grandchildren, highlighted the difficulty of stretching her resources.

"When mi get money mi haffi go try fix it little little. Mi nuh have nobody fi do it but I will try to buy one one zinc."

Addressing concerns about those still struggling despite receiving assistance, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr acknowledged the need for additional support.

"Some have said to me 'Minister, I am so grateful', others have said 'Minister, beg you a little more'," he said. "We understand Valrie's situation and for persons like Valrie, we are acknowledging that. And that's why we have partners. So persons like Valrie should still come back to us and say, 'How can I get some more support?' We may be able to put you on to one of our partners or put you into a programme."

Charles said the initiative is "about the people", identifying and assessing their situation, and ensuring that they are in an immediate better position.

"So, [it's about] providing food, water, tarpaulin, all of the things that we did in the last six weeks. And now, moving to a place where Jamaica is able to say to you that if you have lost everything...we are able to give you between $400,000, $150,000, and $50,000 to help put you back in a good position," he said.

The Government has committed more than $1 billion to the relief support effort, with grants allocated based on the extent of damage: up to J$400,000 for completely destroyed homes; $150,000 for severe damage; and $50,000 for minor damage. The initiative also involves partnerships with organisations such as Global Empowerment Movement and Food For The Poor. A series of other handover engagements are planned across the island over the next two weeks.