Jamaica is set to benefit from a grant of up to US$500,000 to strengthen its disaster resilience and recovery capacity under a new regional Disaster Risk Reduction Programme for the Caribbean.
The initiative, supported by the European Union (EU), is being spearheaded through a collaborative effort involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
UNDP Resident Representative for Jamaica, Kishan Khoday, announced the upcoming launch of the programme on Tuesday, June 10, during a Hurricane Ready & Resilient forum hosted at the UNDP’s Multi-Country Office in Kingston. The forum brought together micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) stakeholders to discuss hurricane preparedness and resilience building.
Khoday emphasized that the funding would be channeled into enhancing national capacity for disaster preparedness and recovery, particularly through scaling up policy frameworks, institutional structures, and financing mechanisms.
“The programme will have important region-wide results but also dedicated country grants, for example, of up to half a million US dollars here in Jamaica,” he said. “Options for embracing loss and damage finance, and other policies around loss and damage, can be a key outcome of this new cooperation.”
Highlighting the vulnerability of MSMEs to disaster-related shocks, Khoday stressed the importance of tailored disaster preparedness plans, increased financial support mechanisms, and innovative partnerships.
“We need comprehensive disaster preparedness plans tailored specifically for MSMEs, the resources to build that resilience and early recovery. By enhancing financial support mechanisms, including from new loss and damage financing mechanisms, we can expand relief beyond grants to accessible insurance schemes and private partnerships as well.”
Khoday pointed to Jamaica’s unique position as a small island developing state to serve as a model for resilience and inclusive recovery. He noted that disaster risk resilience remains a central pillar of the UNDP’s global work, with US$100 million allocated annually to such efforts.
The forthcoming Disaster Risk Reduction Programme aims to support Caribbean nations in building climate resilience, adopting innovative financing solutions, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of growing climate threats.
