NIRA Processes Over 47,000 Document Recovery Applications Post Hurricane Melissa

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has processed 47,562 document recovery applications, to help Jamaicans rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Hon. Audrey Marks during her contribution to the 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 20).

Ambassador Marks explained that NIRA operationalised a national document recovery programme following Hurricane Melissa, to provide rapid support to affected Jamaicans.

“Importantly, 856 of our most vulnerable citizens receive these essential services free of cost, ensuring that compassion, dignity, and national support reach those who needed it most,” she disclosed.

The Minister noted, further, that the vital programme has now been permanently institutionalised to support Jamaicans impacted by fires, floods, and other emergencies.

“This means that in times of crisis, citizens will continue to have reliable access to document recovery services, strengthening national resilience, and ensuring that no Jamaican is left behind. Access is available 24/7 at nira.gov.jm,” she stated.

Ambassador Marks said to ensure access to NIRA’s services, an identification services outreach will be undertaken across the island.

She noted that the initiative was piloted in her constituency and is now ready for expansion across the remaining 62 constituencies.

“The national identification card project has also purchased mobile units that will be used for the constituency outreach programmes, aimed at bringing government services closer to the people. The mobile units will be ready for June 2026,” the Minister told the Lower House.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Marks said over the past month, NIRA has expanded significantly beyond the single location it operates from in Kingston.

“National identification services are now being rolled out in Montego Bay, St. Ann’s Bay, Port Antonio, May Pen, Santa Cruz, Mandeville, Twickenham Park, Portmore, and downtown Kingston. These locations are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of this month,” she informed.

The Minister noted that the Savanna-la-Mar Registrar-General’s Department office, which was destroyed during Hurricane Melissa, will be relocated to a new location at the Savanna-la-Mar post office.

The space is currently being renovated, with reopening scheduled for mid-July 2026.

“The new location is being configured to provide both civil registration and national identification services, as well as a modern post office banking hall,” she said.

Ambassador Marks explained that several other post offices across the island are also being similarly renovated by NIRA, to provide both civil registration and national identification services.

“By July 2026, the service centres at Brown’s Town, Spaulding, Ocho Rios, St. Ann’s Bay, Falmouth, Lucea, Santa Cruz, and Montego Bay are scheduled for completion,” she stated.