KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness is defending the Government’s strategy for distributing donated generators following Hurricane Melissa, pushing back against criticism that the allocation has been unfair or insufficient as thousands remain without electricity.
Holness, speaking Tuesday, emphasized the mathematical and logistical challenges of meeting widespread needs with limited resources.
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“The number of generators we received, the last time I checked, was in the region of 600,” he said. “How do I share 600 generators with 150,000 people? You simply cannot share 600 generators among 150,000 people or 42,000 homes. It is not possible.”
He stressed that the administration’s priority is maximizing the impact of the limited supply by directing the generators toward essential services and agencies capable of sustaining broader community support.
“We have put a policy in place so whatever we have, we are going to use it for resilience-building,” Holness continued. “We give to the police, the JDF, the fire brigade, municipal buildings, and hospitals. We give them generators—that is where it is going.”
The prime minister also noted that agencies receiving generators must provide the Government with an operational plan, including how the units will be maintained and eventually replaced.
Calls to End Politicization
Holness also pushed back against claims that political bias has influenced the distribution of relief supplies, describing such accusations as unhelpful and divisive during a national crisis.
He urged an end to the “politicization of relief,” warning that misinformation and public distrust only undermine recovery efforts.
Shift in Relief Strategy
As the country continues to recover, the Government is transitioning from distributing food packages to providing coupons or prepaid cards that will allow affected residents to purchase their own supplies.
Holness acknowledged that not all shops have reopened due to ongoing power outages but said the Government has begun loaning generators it purchased—not donated ones—to shopkeepers to facilitate reopening and stabilize access to goods.
Hurricane Melissa, which battered the island in late October, left widespread structural damage, prolonged power outages, and tens of thousands in urgent need of aid.
Holness reiterated that the Government is committed to an equitable, transparent, and strategic recovery.
