Jamaica is among a small group of Middle Income Countries (MICs) selected to benefit from the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The grant funding will aid in the country’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic by facilitating the funding of two (2) key projects to be completed over the next 12 to 18 months.
The funds are earmarked to operationalize the “Suppressing Transmission of COVID-19 and Saving Lives” and “Safeguarding and Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Enhancing Jamaica’s Shock Responsive Social Protection Mechanism” projects, which will be spearheaded by the United Nations Country Team in Jamaica.
The first of the two initiatives is aimed at providing direct support to contain the transmission of COVID-19 while continuing basic health services. The second will enhance social protection mechanisms, particularly to support vulnerable groups (including women and children).
In welcoming the grant, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith affirmed that, “This allocation is yet another excellent example of the United Nations and the multilateral system at work for Member States. We are grateful to the UN and its Agencies which have rallied to support Jamaica in quick time.”
The Minister added that, “these funds will serve to address some of the most pressing and urgent socio-economic challenges we will encounter in the coming months “especially as it relates to protecting and providing for the needs of the most vulnerable”.
Speaking at the handover, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Mariko Kagoshima, noted that, “We are proud that this UN Fund has been made accessible to Jamaica. This pandemic has the potential for long-term adverse effects to the people of this country. As such, the UN is happy to be playing its part in mitigating these risks to the people, while helping to sustain Jamaica’s development gains.”
Minister Johnson Smith also emphasised that, “the continued support and solidarity of our multilateral partners, specifically the United Nations development system, will remain critical during these challenging times to ensure no one is left behind.”
The symbolic cheque was handed over to Minister Johnson Smith during a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, May 27.
