The local and national government need to take the necessary measures to ensure that if persons are evicted that they have appropriate and adequate housing options available.

According to the news publication Go Jamaica:

An advocacy group is calling for the government agencies with responsibility for children’s welfare to help those minors affected by the removal of squatters from a property on Duke Street in Kingston. Help JA Children says it has written to the Child Development Agency, the Office of the Children’s Advocate, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Education in light of Friday’s eviction. More than 80 adults and 40 children were forced off the Duke Street premises when an eviction crew, escorted by the police, visited the site and demolished the squatter residence. The group says it’s asking these agencies to ensure that the children affected are able to return to school when the new term begins. Help JA Children is also calling for a more humane way of dealing with squatters. In the meantime, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management says it has noted the plight of the squatters and will be providing them with basic temporary relief. This will be in the form of tents for shelter, portable sanitary conveniences and collapsible water storage containers.

Main article can be found here. Click the following links for more information on these evictions and the larger issue of squatters/informal settlements in Jamaica.

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