August 12, 2026

Gov’t provides emergency relief support to displaced residents of Coopers Pen in Trelawny after their homes were demolished yesterday

Emergency relief support is being provided to displaced residents of Coopers Pen in Trelawny after their homes were demolished yesterday.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Member of Parliament for North Trelawny Tova Hamilton, along with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security responded to the crisis last evening.

Based on a preliminary assessment, approximately 40 families have been affected, including households with children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals.

ODPEM said the intervention was undertaken, following the identification of immediate humanitarian needs among affected residents.

The response focused primarily on providing temporary shelter and essential relief support to assist families in managing their immediate circumstances.

The relief effort was coordinated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and other partners, who mobilised supplies from available emergency stocks, as well as facilitated transportation and distribution to the affected families.

Director General of ODPEM, Commander Alvin Gayle said the immediate priority is to ensure that affected families have access to basic humanitarian support while the relevant authorities work through the broader issues associated with the situation.

He expressed that the ODPEM will continue to engage the relevant agencies to determine what further support may be required.

At the time of the intervention, an alternative temporary relocation site had not been identified for the affected residents.

ODPEM therefore provided immediate shelter support, while the appropriate authorities continue to consider the longer term arrangements for families.

The agency will also remain engaged with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders to monitor the humanitarian needs arising from the situation and to coordinate additional support where necessary and within the agency’s mandate and available resources.

In the meantime, the member of parliament described the situation as inhumane, unacceptable and deeply distressing.

Hamilton noted that no Jamaican should have to stand by and watch their home and belongings bulldozed without being treated with basic humanity and respect.

She stated that the residents of Coopers Pen are not statistics; they are families, parents, children and citizens who deserve to be heard and treated fairly.

She stressed that the incident should never be repeated.