Kingston, Jamaica – The Social Development Commission (SDC) has commenced the processing and verification of over 170 applications received from churches across the five parishes most impacted by Hurricane Melissa, under the Government of Jamaica’s Community Church Clean-Up and Restoration Initiative, which forms part of the wider National Clean-Up Programme.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, provides JMD 75 million in grant funding to support clean-up and minor repair works at affected churches. SDC Executive Director, Omar Frith, advised that the SDC is executing its assigned responsibility under the programme, including application management, field verification, and coordination of assessments. He noted that, to date, the SDC has received 176 applications from churches across 16 constituencies in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, and Hanover, with the largest concentration of submissions coming from St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James, reflecting the scale of hurricane impact in those parishes.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Frith said the Commission fully endorses the Government’s thrust to support church clean-up and recovery efforts, noting that churches play a role far beyond spiritual and religious guidance. He affirmed that churches are key stakeholders in community development, providing spaces that facilitate community engagement, psychosocial support interventions, partnerships, and a wide range of development programmes. He further noted that church facilities are frequently utilised as emergency shelters, meeting and coordination spaces, and venues for developmental initiatives, particularly in times of crisis. Supporting their recovery therefore strengthens not only the institutions themselves, but also the communities they serve, and enhances national recovery and resilience efforts.
The Commission has issued an application form and detailed content note outlining the scope and parameters of the initiative. Importantly, it does not involve the rebuilding or reconstruction of churches, but focuses on clean-up activities and minor repairs aimed at restoring functionality and safety. Eligible works include debris removal, roof sheeting, doors, windows, guttering, basic waterproofing, and other small-scale remedial repairs. As part of the implementation process, SDC parish teams are being deployed to verify applications on the ground, supported by Municipal Corporations, which will assist in assessing the reported minor repairs and ensuring technical consistency.
Mr. Frith went on to state that all clean-up activities under the programme must adhere to national environmental and public health standards, and that debris generated through the clean-up exercise must be disposed of at approved dumping sites in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the relevant Municipal Corporations.
He added that the SDC continues to play a pivotal role in the Government’s recovery and eventual rebuilding efforts, particularly through data collection, verification, and evidence-building. “Our role ensures that recovery interventions are guided by sound evidence, supporting accountability systems, giving the Government confidence in programme delivery and the use of public resources,” he noted.
The SDC encourages eligible churches in the affected parishes to continue engaging with parish offices as the verification process progresses under the national clean-up framework.
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