SDC Rolls Out 400-Strong Humanitarian Task Force Across Affected Parishes

After completing island-wide damage assessments and observing widespread displacement caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Social Development Commission (SDC) has shifted its national response toward identifying homelessness and the scale of displacement experienced across communities.

Today, the SDC launched the full rollout of its Temporary Accommodations Needs Assessment, deploying a 400-strong humanitarian task force across the six worst-affected parishes: Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny, Hanover, and Manchester.

Guided by the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, the SDC is mobilizing approximately 400 personnel, including 300 Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) participants previously trained for national data collection, supported by experienced social work practitioners from the Commission’s staff. Teams are conducting door-to-door assessments to identify individuals and households displaced or otherwise affected by the storm.

Pilot assessments conducted on November 11 (Westmoreland) and November 13 (Trelawny) refined the methodology and tools now being applied across the parishes.

“The pilot phase affirmed both our capacity and our responsibility. As we move into full deployment, our focus is clear: every displaced family must be identified. This exercise is a commitment to restoring dignity and stability to those hardest hit. The information we gather, we believe, will offer a practical guide to the Government of Jamaica as it makes critical decisions in this period,” said Mr. Samuel Heron, Deputy Executive Director, Field Services, SDC.

SDC Executive Director Omar Frith noted, “With all targeted parishes now engaged, the SDC is demonstrating its operational strength and commitment to national recovery. Mobilizing our officers alongside YSEP youth ensures the high-quality data required to support thousands of Jamaicans.”

Data collection is expected to conclude within two to three weeks, after which analysis will support rapid, evidence-based decision-making by the Government of Jamaica.

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