The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) continues to provide coordinated humanitarian and social support to residents of Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, with several government agencies deployed to assess needs and provide immediate assistance.

The demolition arose from a longstanding private matter. The Government of Jamaica was not a party to the underlying private dispute. However, following the demolition and the resulting displacement of residents, GOJ has moved to address the immediate humanitarian and social welfare needs of affected families.

Social workers from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) were deployed to the community to conduct preliminary assessments and identify the welfare needs of affected households. The initial assessment indicated that approximately 40 families were affected, including households with children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals.

The MLSS, working in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other stakeholders, subsequently mobilised humanitarian assistance for residents. Teams remained in the community beyond midnight as assessments and the distribution of support continued. Assistance provided included food supplies, bottled water, toiletries, temporary shelter supplies, tents and lighting equipment. As part of the emergency response, ODPEM mobilised and transported relief supplies directly to affected families, including 40 family-size tents, cots, foam pads, solar lights, care packages, cases of bottled water and sanitary products. The Ministry of Labour will return on Friday, August 14, 2026, to provide additional support.

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has also dispatched officers to the community to assess the circumstances of affected children and families. CPFSA officers remain in the field as the assessment continues and will determine what interventions may be required within the Agency’s mandate.

Additionally, the Poor Relief Department of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, along with the Social Development Commission (SDC), will undertake further assessments of affected residents and households. Assistance will be provided through the applicable government programmes and support frameworks. Furthermore, the Ministry of Local Government has indicated that drop-in shelters will be available to meet the needs of residents.

GOJ’s response is being coordinated across the relevant social protection, disaster management, child protection, local government and community development agencies, with the immediate priority being to ensure that vulnerable residents have access to essential assistance while individual and household circumstances are properly assessed.

The Government of Jamaica will continue to monitor developments in Cooper’s Pen and coordinate additional interventions.