Management (ODPEM) and the local government ministry use disaster assessment technologies — drones and artificial intelligence — to speed up relief response in the wake of disasters. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who chairs the council, said: “This is something that we recommend strongly…that capability needs to be integrated into our disaster response.” He was speaking to disaster response agencies last Wednesday at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on Hagley Park Road in St Andrew.

“As I flew over the damaged areas the day after Hurricane Beryl hit [on July 3, 2024], I had my notepad, and as I was flying over the coast…I could do a rapid assessment just by flying over and I suspect that the JDF does that with their aerial capabilities, but there are far more efficient technologies using artificial intelligence that can scan areas and tell you which roof was damaged, the extent of the damage, and then you can use that data to make assessments as to how much should be assigned to persons,” the prime minister said. According to Holness, this data would be of invaluable support to social workers in the field conducting their relief response duties.

“The on-the-ground social worker coming to knock on your door and look, that effort could be enhanced greatly by the deployment of disaster assessment technologies, using the available technologies through drones and artificial intelligence, which would give you rapid assessments which would help to speed up the process of response,” he said. And, addressing the issue of individuals building in disaster-prone areas despite persistent warnings, the prime minister said the Government “will have to strengthen our settlement policy — our enforcement as it relates to where people settle and how they settle. “There are communities that are there for years, for decades; it is going to be very difficult to…ask them to move. They are emotionally connected to the community, but my own view is that if you know you are going to build in an area that is [disaster-]prone, the technology to build and build as safely as you can exists.” (Jamaica Observer)