Over $330 Million Distributed to Hanover Families Under ROOFS Hurricane Relief Programme

More than $330 million has been paid out to residents in Hanover through the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative, aimed at supporting recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security, disclosed the figure during a handover ceremony in Lucea on Wednesday. He later confirmed the update in an interview with Nationwide News.

The ROOFS programme forms part of the national response to Hurricane Melissa, providing direct financial support to homeowners whose properties were damaged. Eligible beneficiaries may receive grants ranging from $75,000 to $500,000, depending on the severity of destruction identified during assessments.

Islandwide, more than 96,000 property evaluations have been carried out to date. In Hanover alone, over 6,000 assessments have been completed. Of those, approximately 3,600 were classified as major or severe damage cases.

Minister Charles Jr. stated that the Government continues to prioritise individuals who were most affected, with particular attention to vulnerable residents in need of urgent support.

He also reminded the public that assistance under the ROOFS initiative is limited to one grant per resident. However, he noted that additional support for rebuilding is available through other government-led hurricane recovery programmes that provide reconstruction assistance.

The ministry maintains that the distribution process remains focused on transparency and ensuring relief reaches qualifying households across the parish.