(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller today announced that persons whose houses were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Sandy two weeks ago will receive vouchers valued at J$60,000.
The Prime Minister, in making the announcement during today’s sitting of the House of Representatives, said 2,797 houses were severely damaged by the category one hurricane.
She said 2,271 homes sustained minor damage during the passage of the hurricane.
Owners of those houses will receive J$30,000 from the Government to assist with repairs.
The Prime Minister said 365 houses were totally devastated by the hurricane.
However, she did not say whether those persons will receive special assistance.
In the meantime, Simpson Miller said the Government has negotiated with the European Union to allocate J$13 million from the EU Banana Support Programme to assist small farmers with fertilisers and insecticide.
The Prime Minister said 3,888 bags of fertilisers and insecticide will be distributed to the worst affected banana-supporting areas this week.
She said banana farmers who are subscribers to the Catastrophe Fund, and who suffered losses above 50 per cent of production will receive payout this week.
