Gov't to transition to voucher system for aid delivery

 

The government will be moving to a voucher system for the distribution of aid relief in the coming months after physical supplies have been depleted.

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the distribution of aid is an expensive venture and can put workers at risk in handling the crowds of people.

 

He says this part of the relief operation is not sustainable for the long term.

 

"We can't carry this on forever or for too long. At some point we will transition to a voucher or a coupon system, where instead of carrying the bag of relief items, you will get something that is equivalent to cash and you can go to your nearest shop in your area where we will stock and supply them and you get your items," he advised.

 

Dr. Holness said restoring Jamaica's local commerce in especially western parishes is now a national priority. 

 

Small business operators and rural communities have been unable to reopen because of inaccessible roads, lack of electricity and or no connectivity leading to disruption in the distributive trade. 

 

Speaking at Thursday's special media briefing, Dr. Holness commended the private sector for their role in getting larger retailers and distributors reopened. 

 

But he said, while recovery efforts are underway, getting small businesses back on their feet is also critical to restoring a sense of normalcy.

 

"As I toured through Jamaica, what is clear is that local commerce has been badly hit. The local shops are closed. The local pharmacies are closed. Markets are closed. We need to get those stood up. Private sector has a role to play in that and I see where they have started. Getting the gas stations open, ensuring that the large distributors are open, the large supermarkets and wholesales are open, especially in the urban areas. I like that. But I also want the small shop in Adelphi or in Spring Mount or wherever else, that those shops reopen," he said. 

 

To address this, the Prime Minister said 50 generators will be loaned to businesses in the most impacted and remote areas to help them restart operations. 

 

"We will loan them the generators. But, of course, there will be some requirements for compliance issues and to ensure that they are established operations that we can enter into cooperation with."