The Finance Minister has announced that the government has access to over $130 billion in a special shock absorption fund.

This fund will be used to help the country recover swiftly from major catastrophes such as natural disasters.

In her maiden presentation to start the budget debate in Parliament today, Mrs. Fayval Williams highlighted that the 130.6 billion dollar National Natural Disaster Risk Financing Shock Absorber has various levels of response and related funding.

While chastising the former People’s National Party administration for failing to put contingencies in place, Mrs. Williams praised the current Jamaica Labour Party government for having the foresight to set aside funds for disaster response.

She assured that the government is committed to continuing to strengthen the multi-layered risk financing.