Labour Ministry assisting Coopers Pen residents

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security said it is providing support to families affected by the demolition of homes in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, on Tuesday.

Following reports of the incident, social workers from the ministry’s Trelawny parish office visited the community to conduct a preliminary assessment of affected households and identify immediate welfare needs. Based on the preliminary assessment, the ministry said that approximately 40 families have been affected, including households with children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals.

Consistent with its social protection mandate, the ministry said it mobilised additional support and, working alongside the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and other stakeholders, returned to the community to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to affected residents. Assistance distributed included food supplies, bottled water, toiletries, buckets, temporary shelter supplies, tents and lighting equipment.

The ministry’s intervention is focused on assessing the immediate welfare needs of affected families, identifying vulnerable persons and connecting eligible residents with available social assistance and support services. Portfolio minister Pearnel Charles Jr said the immediate concern is the welfare of the families affected, particularly children, older persons, persons with disabilities and others who may be vulnerable.

“Our social workers have been on the ground assessing their needs and providing immediate assistance, and we will continue to work with our partners to determine what additional support can be provided within the ministry’s social protection programmes,” he said.

The ministry will continue to assess the needs of affected residents and coordinate with the relevant agencies and stakeholders, as appropriate, to provide available social assistance to eligible families.