Gov't launches $1b Solidarity Programme to help 50,000 vulnerable Jamaicans

 

The government has launched its billion-dollar Solidarity Programme to reach the most vulnerable in the society. 

 

It will provide one-off grants of $20,000 to 50,000 Jamaicans. 

 

Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. says the programme is designed for people who could not previously benefit from existing social intervention initiatives. 

 

Minister Charles says the beneficiaries will range from unattached youth to the elderly without social safety nets. 

 

"Elderly Jamaicans who are not now receiving PATH, social pension or NIS support; young people - so it's only if you are between 18 to 35 that you are identified as young - for those who are not in school, no longer in any training, not employed, for those persons with disabilities, for the informal and low-income workers, for the medically indigent individuals, for the small business operators, we are looking for you. Finally, for those who often painfully have to but not easily support, those who don't have the birth certificate, those who don't have the right documentation, who cannot simply access services because their names are not on record, you are who we are looking for this time," he highlighted.

 

He said members of Parliament and representatives of civil society groups will be asked to recommend 30,000 of the 50,000 beneficiaries. 

 

He added that people may contact the minister's offices and platforms to self-register. 

 

The programme is expected to be administered through a dedicated unit in the Social Security Ministry. 

 

Meanwhile, Minister Charles said the aim of the Solidarity Programme is not simply to provide one-off grants, but to offer hope.

 

"...We ensure that every beneficiary is not just given this one-time grant. That's a big part, but it's not the biggest part. The biggest part is for them to come into the system and be connected to the full spectrum of government services, providing additional opportunities to get them the opportunity to have economic independence."

 

"The strength of the Solidarity Programme lies in the power of our partnerships. Strategic, purposeful and people-centered. This is a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, backed by action, clear referral systems, real-time data tracking and structured following through to ensure that no one falls through the crack," touted the minister.