The Opposition Spokesman on Housing and Sustainable Living, Senator Professor Floyd Morris, is calling on the Government to establish special measures to assist Jamaicans whose houses have been devastated by Hurricane Beryl.

Senator Morris stated, “Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage to the houses of many Jamaicans, especially those in Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth and the Government needs to establish some special measures to assist these individuals.”

He added, “Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica at a time when Jamaicans have been under severe economic stress and the extensive damage to the homes of citizens across the island, adds another level of stress to the citizens. It is, therefore, incumbent that the Government does all it can to assist our people during these difficult moments.”

Professor Morris, however, warns the Government that “Whilst these special measures must be put in place to assist the citizens in rebuilding their homes, fairness and transparency must be the order of the day.”

Senator Morris further stated, “Hurricane Beryl was not selective in whose houses were blown down. It never cared about which political party any individual supports. It just massacred the houses of Jamaicans, and so we must ensure that the process of assessment and distribution of housing benefits is fair and transparent.”

Professor Floyd Morris is calling upon the Government to ensure that civil society groups such as the Red Cross and the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA) are instrumental in the assessment and distribution of measures that are to be put in place for housing benefits.

“This is one of the checks and balances that is needed to ensure fairness and transparency in the process”, the Opposition Spokesman quipped.