The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
has ramped up its public assistance activities to aid Jamaicans who have been
severely impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manager for Disaster Rehabilitation and
Welfare in the Public Assistance Division, Jacqueline Shephard, told JIS News that in its role as first
responder, the Ministry has been providing essential items to families and
vulnerable groups.A critical activity is providing food
items to persons in quarantine.
The Ministry’s food delivery programme has benefited
residents of the communities of Seven and Eight Miles in Bull Bay,
St. Andrew; Corn Piece Settlement, Clarendon; and the parish of St. Catherine, which
were placed under quarantine as part of containment activities to prevent further
transmission of the virus.
Ms. Shephard said the Ministry conducts weekly deliveries of
food and sanitation items to households to facilitate strict enforcement of the
Government’s quarantine protocols.
“We also seek to ascertain if there are
any other needs, in which case we will trigger the other relevant agencies to
assist,” she noted.
The
Ministry is also responsible for preparing a budget for the payment of grants
to victims, based on assessments. The budget is submitted to the Ministry of
Finance and the Public Service for approval and disbursement of funds.
The Ministry’s assistance extends to vulnerable
groups, such as persons with disabilities, who are experiencing difficulties at
this time.
“We are not just providing for persons in
quarantine. There is also emphasis on the Jamaica Council for Persons with
Disabilities (JCPD), as well as the elderly and just about anybody else who has
expressed a need… . We investigate the reported cases and assist all who are in
need,” she explained.
Persons in need of assistance are
encouraged to use the drop boxes installed at the Ministry’s parish offices
islandwide.
For more information, persons can also
contact the Labour Division at (876) 922-9500 - 14 or the Social Security Division
at (876) 922-8000 -13.
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