Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the Government welcomes the strong show of regional solidarity as Jamaica begins large-scale recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

He noted that the support from CARICOM and other regional partners will play a significant role in restoring impacted communities.

The prime minster, who was speaking with journalists during a tour of the Whitehouse community in Westmoreland on Monday, said that the process of rebuilding “will require all hands on deck,” adding that this includes “the hands of our brothers and sisters in CARICOM, in Central America, South America, North America and, indeed, the wider world”.

“If we work together, if we focus our energies and attention, we can recover quickly,” he added.

The visit to Whitehouse, which included CARICOM Heads of Government and international partners, was part of a goodwill tour of some of the parishes hardest hit by the hurricane. The delegation also stopped in Catherine Hall in St James.

Prime Minister Holness noted that the Government is strategically managing the response, and the tour was to “bring our friends to see the damage… so the international community can get a sense of what the real impact is”.

He said that the Government is prioritising immediate relief interventions, including clearing debris, adding that a coordinated programme of distribution will continue through the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

Prime Minister Holness thanked his CARICOM colleagues for their swift and generous support, noting that partnership will be central to restoring affected communities.

Dr Holness said that the island is already receiving support from the regional partners with firm commitments of further assistance.

“Every dollar spent, every aid given, every commitment made will be used in a way that advances the recovery and at the end of it, makes Jamaica stronger,” the Prime Minister said.

In addition to Whitehouse, the team also stopped at Catherine Hall in St. James and Black River in St. Elizabeth.

The Prime Minister, who is chair of CARICOM, said he is encouraged by the strong show of support and solidarity from the regional and international partners.

“With Heads of Government and other representatives from key development and financial institutions on the ground with us, this is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort,” he noted.

“Their willingness to be here, to listen, and to witness, first-hand, the challenges facing our people, speaks to the strength of our shared commitment,” he added.