Minister urges churches to lead earthquake readiness push after Sunday tremor

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is pressing Jamaicans to learn how to respond when the ground shakes, using recent destruction in Venezuela and Jamaica's own seismic activity as grounds for greater public attention.

Two earthquakes hit Venezuela within seconds of each other, bringing down hundreds of buildings. Officials put the death toll at 1,450 so far, with another 70,000 people reported missing. McKenzie said Jamaica stands with those suffering loss and displacement. "And to express to them our condolences and pray for the best for the people of Venezuela," he said.

He described the overseas disaster as a wake-up call for Jamaica, where felt tremors have become more common since 2024. "And as a country, over the last 2 and 1/2 years, we have had more than 300 felt earthquakes in this country over the last 3 years. And I don't believe we are, honestly, talking enough about what an earthquake can do for Jamaica," McKenzie said.

The minister also acknowledged that local conversations on what individuals should do during a quake remain too limited. Speaking to clergy and worshippers in Westmoreland, he asked church leaders to carry preparedness messages to their congregations. "And I would want the pulpit, in our churches, to be used to speak to your congregation about your personal role in disaster preparedness," he said.

McKenzie delivered the remarks at the closing ceremony for government cheques issued to churches to support cleanup work after Hurricane Melissa. He said the administration would continue backing religious institutions and announced a further $50 million for storm-affected parishes, including Clarendon and St. Ann. "So, we have to maintain the values of our church and again we make no apologies for supporting the church in whatever way we can as a government," he said.

In a separate development, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said a minor earthquake was felt in parts of eastern Jamaica at about 11:45 Sunday morning. The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, recorded a magnitude 3.9 event centred roughly five kilometres northeast of Golden Spring in St. Andrew.

The tremor was reported across Kingston, St. Andrew and sections of St. Catherine. The ODPM said no damage or injuries had been reported, while parish disaster coordinators and emergency partners continued assessments. The agency reminded residents that earthquakes arrive without warning and urged households to stay prepared. Anyone who felt Sunday's shake was asked to submit a report to the Earthquake Unit to aid seismic monitoring.