Help is coming for Jamaicans affected by the ongoing drought conditions island-wide, as Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a J$150 million Drought Assistance Initiative.

Holness disclosed at the Tuesday (April 9) sitting of the House of Representatives that his administration is implementing a range of measures to support farmers, in particular during these challenging times.

This includes the emergency funding of J$150 million from the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the trucking of water and procurement and distribution of polyethene water tanks to areas that are experiencing water challenges due to drought conditions.

Fifty constituencies will be allocated J$1.5 million each amounting to J$ 75 million while J$70 million will be spent across the parishes of Clarendon, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. Ann and Hanover with J$ 5 million to be held in a reserve fund.  

The prime minister emphasised that, “this funding will not do everything, but will allow the Government through the National Water Commission, members of parliament, and parish councils to respond to needs for critical infrastructure, and the worst affected communities, over the next four weeks. I wish to assure citizens of Westmoreland and Hanover, particularly Negril and environs that we will continue beyond this allocation, if as projected dry conditions persist into the summer.”

Browns Town getting special treatment

He cited the impact on citizens in Browns Town, in North West St Ann, where the drought has been compounded by system failure with the virtual collapse of the existing Well System at Minard. “It is however important to note that on my instruction the National Water Commission was allocated in March J$30 million to facilitate their emergency response in the areas of Hanover, Westmoreland and Browns Town St Ann,” Holness told the parliament.

The prime minister noted that the parishes of St Elizabeth and Clarendon have also received additional support, as they are the next most affected. These measures, he stated should not be contemplated as the sole response related to potable water provision, highlighting that the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development continues its trucking interventions in communities outside of the utility footprint from an allocation of J$100 million. 

He commented on the disturbing news of the theft of a water tank in Negril from the Negril Primary School, expressing his, “utter disgust at those who would’ve perpetrated this act. Madam Speaker, the police must thoroughly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. There is no excuse to harm our children’s future.”

Water storage tanks for Negril Primary School

Holness disclosed that he has given instruction to the Rural Water Supply Limited to provide and install sufficient water storage tanks to avoid any further learning loss at this institution. He has also instructed Rural Water Supply Limited to partner with the Ministry of Education to conduct a national assessment of water storage at schools across the island, which will guide capital investments in the near future. 

At the same time, the prime minister instructed the National Water Commission (NWC) to prioritise critical infrastructure, including education and health facilities while cautioning against premature closure of these institutions.

Acknowledging that many farming communities are now reeling from the elevated heat and drought, Holness said the Ministry of Agriculture had started the trucking of water in the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Manchester through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and has ramped up the supply of water through the National Irrigation Commission (NIC).

During the period January to March 2024, over nine million gallons of water have been trucked to approximately 900 farmers to alleviate the impact of the dry spell.

The agriculture ministry has also distributed 9,000 square meters of pond liners to 45 recipients, which will greatly aid farmers in harvesting and using the limited and intermittent rainfall received.

Additionally, the NIC has issued forty-four 650-gallon tanks, fourteen 1000-gallon tanks and our hundred 12 mm reels of drip hose.