More than 170 applications received for $75m church clean-up programme, says SDC
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The roof of St Thomas Anglican Church in Lacovia, St Elizabeth was decimated by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie (right), listens as Executive Director of the Social Development Commission, Omar Frith (second left), addresses staff of the Trelawny Infirmary during a recent psychosocial intervention session. Also listening (from left) are Matron at the Infirmary, Tracey-Ann Bell, and Councillor for Sherwood Division in Trelawny, Dunstan Harper.
More than 170 applications are currently being processed by the Social Development Commission (SDC) under the Government’s Community Church Clean‑Up and Restoration Initiative, the agency says.
The initiative is part of the post‑Hurricane Melissa National Clean‑Up Programme and provides $75 million in grant funding to support clean‑up activities and minor repair works on churches.
It targets churches in the western parishes that were impacted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Eligible works include debris removal, replacement of roof sheeting, doors, windows, and guttering, basic waterproofing, and other small‑scale remedial repairs.
SDC Executive Director, Omar Frith, said the volume of applications received underscores the scale of damage caused by the hurricane in the affected parishes.
“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,” he told JIS News.
The programme has been criticised by some church leaders and Government lawmaker Everald Warmington.
However, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness who announced the programme in December Holness has defended the initiative.
Frith said the SDC has responsibility for processing applications, coordinating field verification exercises, and supervising assessment activities.
“As part of the verification process, SDC parish teams are being deployed to conduct on-the-ground assessments supported by Municipal Corporations, which will assist in reviewing reported damage and ensuring technical consistency across applications,” the Executive Director explained.
He further emphasised that all activities undertaken must comply with national environmental and public health standards.
“All debris generated through the clean-up process must be disposed of at approved dumping sites in accordance with the guidelines of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the relevant Municipal Corporations,” he said.
Highlighting the SDC’s support for the Government’s thrust to assist churches, Frith noted that their function extends beyond spiritual and religious guidance.
“Churches are integral to community development. Church facilities are frequently used as emergency shelters, coordination centres and meeting spaces, particularly in times of crisis. Supporting their recovery strengthens both the institutions and the communities they serve and contributes to national recovery and resilience,” he said.
All eligible churches in the affected parishes are encouraged to maintain engagement with SDC parish offices as the verification process advances.
The Social Development Commission, an agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, serves as Jamaica’s principal community organisation, working across 775 communities.
- JIS News
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