Government Increases Church Recovery Programme: The Government has increased funding for its Church Recovery Programme by an additional $50 million, bringing the total allocation to $127 million.
The announcement was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, who said the extra funding will support the repair of churches that continue to play a vital role in communities across the island.
McKenzie acknowledged that the programme faced criticism when it was first announced. However, he defended the initiative, noting that churches have consistently provided essential services to residents and continue to serve as beacons of hope during challenging times.
The minister also pointed out that with the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season already underway, many churches are once again being used as emergency shelters, despite a number of them requiring urgent repairs.
He said the additional funding is intended to help ensure these facilities are better equipped to continue serving communities during emergencies and throughout the year.
