Jamaica funds water trucks, road repairs and shelters ahead of hurricane season

Government is putting fresh funds into water delivery, roads, drains and emergency shelters as Jamaica faces drought conditions and moves deeper into the hurricane season.

Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie told Parliament during his 2026-27 Sectoral Debate contribution on Wednesday that $65 million will help St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Portland buy three new water trucks. He also announced $350 million for road patching and maintenance islandwide, along with $70 million for drain-cleaning work.

McKenzie said purpose-built emergency shelters will first be rolled out in Westmoreland, Clarendon, St. Ann and St. Thomas. The buildings are intended to operate as community facilities in normal times and house residents during crises. A further $60 million will go to local authorities for cots, blankets and other supplies. From July 1, 200 young Jamaicans will be placed with the Social Development Commission and municipal corporations for the hurricane season to support shelter management and outreach.

Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Director General Commander Alvin Gayle said Jamaica's disaster system is active and able to respond, with national coordination structures, trained personnel, emergency agencies and public information channels in place. He said the country's readiness must cover hurricanes, floods, drought, earthquakes and other emergencies, while noting targeted areas still need strengthening.

Jamaica has also signed a four-year health cooperation agreement with Ghana for the voluntary, temporary deployment of Ghanaian doctors and nurses. The accord was one of two memoranda of understanding signed at the third Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation in Accra, the other covering defence. The countries also agreed to pursue links in culture, education, air services, trade, investment, agro-processing, fintech, logistics, manufacturing, energy and the creative industries. A Jamaican trade mission led by Senator Aubyn Hill is due in Ghana in July.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, on an official visit to China ending June 6, said Chinese technical support is being sought to revive local rice production and expand fish farming. Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said Jamaica is monitoring scholarship students in Cuba, has secured higher stipend support, and remains ready to arrange one-way flights home, though no repatriation requests have been made.