Jamaica poised to combat

organized crime in fishing sector

From left, CEO at National Fisheries Authority Dr Gavin Bellamy; UNDP Resident Representative, Denise E Antonio; UNDP Blue Resilience Project Lead, Emma Witbooi and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr at the launch of the national fisheries crime mechanism. Photo: Joseph Wellington | Jamaica Observer

Nine government agencies in Jamaica have joined forces on a new Multi-agency Fisheries Crime Coordinating Mechanism to combat organized crime in the fishing sector. Jamaica’s national mechanism, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, came into force with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 23 November 2022 with support from the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Blue Resilience project funded under the Norwegian Blue Justice Initiative (BJI). 

This young patron at the National Commission for Disabled Persons' concert and motorcade for Disabilities Week, shares a moment with UNDP team member Abby-Gale Clarke. Photo: UNDP MCO in Jamaica

Persons with Disabilities registered on the AccessAbility App will be able to access accessible transportation, free interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing; disaster alerts from NEMA; free registration with NCPD which includes mapped location of registered PWD’s in times of disaster; complaints mechanism; bus routes showing street by street movement ; request for adaptive equipment and other services; business directory for organizations compliant with the Disabilities Act; Career/job listings; as well as trending local and international news and resources.

This young patron at the National Commission for Disabled Persons' concert and motorcade for Disabilities Week, shares a smile with the camera. Photo: UNDP MCO in Jamaica

Townsley A. Roberts, Deputy Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, The Bahamas.

Centre manager for the Portmore Domestic Violence Intervention Centre in Jamaica, Detective Constable Damian Hammond (right) and Sergeant Princess Bayliss Ranger sub officer in charge of the Portmore Community Safety and Security Branch. Photo: UNDP MCO in Jamaica/ Talk up Yout

A new generation of police officers is helping domestic violence victims overcome their darkest hours with care, compassion & comfort. Intervention is offered to victims through the Domestic Violence Intervention Centre (DVIC) network recently expanded under the European Union funded Spotlight Initiative. UNDP leads the pillar that expanded the DVIC network.

UN & Government of Bermuda launch project to spur economic activity for vulnerable groups

From left: Robert Almeida, Managing Partner, Portland Private Equity; Denise Antonio, UNDP Resident Representative, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands; Tonni Brodber, Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean; UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, Bermuda and the Bahamas, Dr. Garry Conille.

Photo: Government of Bermuda

UNDP supports South-South Exchange focusing

on alternative justice and technology

A Jamaican delegation studying Rwanda's justice system on location on the steps of Rwanda's High Court: Minister of Justice Hon Delroy Chuck (2nd left) and Chief Justice Bryan Sykes (3rd right) pose with the delegation which included senior officials of the Justice Ministry and the UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica. UNDP supported the Study Tour of Rwanda's justice system. Photo: UNDP

A high-level delegation led by Jamaica’s Minister of Justice and Chief Justice has concluded a Study Tour of Rwanda, highlighted by technical exchanges on Rwanda’s progressive work in alternative justice and technology-driven case management. 

Dr. Ronald Blake, Jamaica 4H Clubs Executive Director; Oliver Blake, Head of Jamaica Political and Development Team and Senior Governance Adviser (Caribbean), British High Commission; Rev Roy Wicha, Island Advisory Council, Jamaica 4H; young farming beneficiary; Hon Franklin Witter, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; project beneficary Daniella Williams, beekeeper and organic farmer; project beneficiary Keneil Morgan, fisher and farmer; and Colin Virgo, Chaiman of the Board, Jamaica 4H Clubs. Photo: JIS/UNDP

Jamaica 4-H Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are partnering to strengthen the climate and disaster resilience of 600 young farmers and fishers, in support of national efforts to shore up food security against climate crisis. The project is being piloted over six months under the EnGenDER project (Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate & Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean) with funding from Global Affairs Canada, and the UK Government.  

Value added products produced by young farmers on display Photo: UNDP/JIS

From left, Dr. Ronald Blake, Executive Director Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Franklin Witter, State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ava Whyte Anderson, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Oliver Blake, Head of Jamaica Political and Development Team and Senior Governance Adviser (Caribbean), British High Commission, Collin Virgo, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jamaica 4-H Clubs. Photo: UNDP/JIS

UNDP has produced a new video feature highlighting national work to eliminate pollutants which abound in seemingly safe spaces and objects across the country. The project is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF). These POPs include chemicals in certain Pesticides. Fire retardants used by firefighters. PCBs in Electrical Transformers. Burning garbage. Even in disposed cars. These are a just a few sources of ‘forever chemicals’ known as Persistent Organic Pollutants – POPs for short. These forever chemicals can last a very long time in our air, water supply, soil, and the human body.  

POPs and the Family is an illustrated book that explains the dangers of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and how families can reduce their exposure.

Bahamas Girl Guides to model sustainability

A UNDP and BGGA team are all smiles at the prospects of lowered bills, operational costs and carbon emissions as a result of new solar installations (in background) the BGGA HQ. From left Abby-Gale Clarke UNDP Programme Associate; Denise E Antonio, UNDP Resident Representative for Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos islands; Brendon Watson, contractor for the construction of the new BGGA Headquarters; Ava Whyte-Anderson, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative; and Elma Garraway, BGGA Assistant Chief Commissioner and Chair of Properties Committee. Photos: Deon Stewart, UNDP/GEF SGP

The Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) is set to model environmental sustainability at its new headquarters building and redeveloped site with a new solar energy system, nature trails and revamped environmental education modules. 

-YOUTH VOICE-

Browse our photo collage of youth leaders participating in the inaugural National Youth Leaders Summit in November 2022. Many are already in the driving seat of groundbreaking initiatives and policy shifting movements. When they came together at their Inaugural Summit it was to REIGNITE AND ENGAGE to transform Jamaica and the Diaspora. UNDP was happy to support this visionary goal which aligns with our Social Resilience priority in the current country programme. By funding the Summit, UNDP has signaled its intention to work with young people to realize their greatest potential as important contributors and enablers for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP has indicated it is ready to partner for a youth inclusive future by financing their innovative initiatives and connecting the youth for socio-economic transformation.

-CONSIDER THIS-

UNDP Resident Representative at launch of AccessAbility Mobile App

Prime Minister of The Bahamas Rt Hon. Philip Davis (second right) chats with United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Denise E Antonio while posing for photo opportunity with Nalini Bethel, Chairperson of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (right) and the Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe. They were are the launch of the NCPD’s AccessAbility mobile app at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau on Sunday 4 December. Photo: UNDP MCO in Jamaica

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