Andrew Holness Announces Establishment of Disaster Risk Management Review Committee

Kingston, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the creation of a Disaster Risk Management Review Committee aimed at addressing gaps in the country’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. This move follows the government’s assessment of its response to Hurricane Beryl, which struck the island earlier this year.

While our response to Hurricane Beryl was creditable, some gaps have been identified.

I am therefore sharing with Jamaicans that the government has established a Disaster Risk Management Review Committee.

The committee will ensure greater preparedness for any future disasters… pic.twitter.com/tdqsSJZFLa

— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) September 10, 2024

In a statement shared with the public via social media, Holness acknowledged that while Jamaica’s response to the hurricane was commendable, there were areas that required improvement. “Our response to Hurricane Beryl was creditable,” the Prime Minister said. “However, some gaps have been identified.”

Holness emphasized the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, as well as the overlapping nature of these events, stressing the importance of proactive measures. “The committee will ensure greater preparedness for any future disasters, which I note are now more frequent, more intense, and overlapping,” he noted.

The newly formed Disaster Risk Management Review Committee will be tasked with evaluating the country’s current disaster response strategies and implementing enhanced systems to bolster preparedness. The government is committed to ensuring that the country is better equipped to handle emergencies and protect citizens from the growing threat of climate-related events.

As Jamaica continues to face the challenges posed by climate change, Holness’ administration remains focused on strengthening national resilience, ensuring that the country is better positioned to manage future disasters.

The announcement has been met with support from citizens and organizations alike, many of whom are hopeful that the new committee will result in significant improvements in disaster management across the island.