Terrelonge urges diaspora to help build a more resilient Jamaica
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon Alando Terrelonge engages with delegates at the town hall meeting at the second Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Photo: Derrick Scott.
Key Points(5)
- Addressing more than 300 delegates at a town hall meeting during the second Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct.
- 24, Terrelonge said the recovery process presented an opportunity to strengthen Jamaica’s infrastructure and better prepare the country for future disasters.
- He said resilience must be incorporated into the design of critical infrastructure, including airports, roads, schools and health facilities, to ensure essential services can continue operating during and after major emergencies.
- Terrelonge also highlighted the vulnerability of Jamaica’s coastal communities to rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events, warning that the country must consider how to protect critical infrastructure and maintain essential transport links during disasters.
- He described climate change as an existential threat to Jamaica and other small island developing states, noting that the country contributes only a small fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions but faces significant consequences from climate-related events.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge has called on Jamaicans overseas to contribute their professional expertise, technical skills and volunteer time to Jamaica’s recovery and reconstruction, arguing that rebuilding the island must go beyond repairing damaged infrastructure.
Addressing more than 300 delegates at a town hall meeting during the second Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 24, Terrelonge said the recovery process presented an opportunity to strengthen Jamaica’s infrastructure and better prepare the country for future disasters.
He said resilience must be incorporated into the design of critical infrastructure, including airports, roads, schools and health facilities, to ensure essential services can continue operating during and after major emergencies.
Terrelonge also highlighted the vulnerability of Jamaica’s coastal communities to rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events, warning that the country must consider how to protect critical infrastructure and maintain essential transport links during disasters.
He described climate change as an existential threat to Jamaica and other small island developing states, noting that the country contributes only a small fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions but faces significant consequences from climate-related events.
The minister urged Jamaican-Americans to use their voices and influence to encourage members of the U.S. Congress and other policymakers to support stronger international climate action and assistance for vulnerable countries.
Terrelonge also called on diaspora members to contribute directly to Jamaica’s reconstruction through professional expertise, technical assistance, advisory services and volunteer work.
Referring to the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), he encouraged delegates to explore the organization’s initiatives and identify opportunities to apply their skills to the country’s recovery.
He challenged members of the diaspora to consider volunteering at least 100 hours to support Jamaica’s reconstruction efforts. Contributions could include advising on projects, supporting community initiatives and helping rebuild essential facilities such as schools and health clinics.
Terrelonge stressed that diaspora contributions should extend beyond financial donations, pointing to the professional knowledge and experience Jamaicans have acquired overseas as valuable resources for national recovery.
He encouraged Jamaicans working in engineering, construction, health, education and other professional fields to identify ways to apply their expertise to rebuilding communities and strengthening public infrastructure.
The minister said building a more resilient Jamaica would require collaboration among the government, private sector, local communities and Jamaicans overseas, framing reconstruction as an opportunity to advance national development rather than simply restore what existed before the disaster.
The town hall was part of the two-day Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference, held Oct. 23-24 under the theme “One Diaspora, One Vision: Advancing Jamaica Together.”
The conference brought together members of the Jamaican diaspora to discuss practical ways to contribute to the island’s recovery, development and long-term resilience.
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