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Jamaica

The Department for International Development (DFID) observed its first ten years on April 30, 2007. Over the years, DFID has contributed to tackling global poverty, promoted good governance and has worked to make the world safer. In the Caribbean, the DFID regional programme is aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Programme interventions are in the interest of the poor and contribute to enabling governments to improve their accountability and the efficiency of public services.

In Jamaica, DFID has been supporting the government of Jamaica to implement its national policy for poverty reduction. The main objectives of the Jamaica programme are to support the development of effective public services, and to improve safety, security and access to justice especially for the poor and marginalised.

DFID works in partnership with the government of Jamaica, and collaborates with other international development agencies to provide support to the national development priorities of the government. We will continue to support the National Development Plan and associated Medium Term Framework (MTF) to be responsive to citizen needs and reduce poverty.

Bi-lateral arrangements

One of DFID’s major projects over the last five years, is the Jamaica Social Policy Evaluation (JASPEV) project. This project is supporting the government’s strategic plan for a more effective social sector delivery system by the year 2015. JASPEV has been involved in the development of a strategy and action plan for improving effectiveness, collaboration and accountability in the delivery of social policy. This project is being implemented with support from DFID in collaboration with the Cabinet Office. This collaboration, according to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, represents a new dimension to the government’s bi-lateral arrangements and provides a framework for other donors to bring their resources to bear in a coordinated way.

One of the results of the project is the development of a consultation code to facilitate the participation of stakeholders in policy development. (JASPEV used the British consultation code as a guide). In future, the development of all social policies will be informed through a process of consultation and analysis. The methodology for social policy development is to be institutionalised in all government development agencies and departments. To facilitate this, DFID is supporting the recording of all the processes and experiences of this participatory approach to the determination and implementation of policy. This will be produced as a handbook for use by the government for policy development.

 Safety and security of communities

In keeping with its focus on security and development, DFID is supporting initiatives that would improve the safety and security of communities. The work of the Social Development Commission aimed at improving police-citizen relations, enhanced security, and freedom from fear within marginalised communities is crucial to this process. The SDC is recognised as a credible intermediary agency and has been able to create the bridge between the police and those communities that are involved in the project. The SDC will continue to be involved in mobilising community groups to participate in the discussion on social issues that affect them.

DFID is also supporting the reform and modernisation process of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and contributed to the justice sector review as part of its support to the public sector reform programme.

During the next plan period, DFID will incorporate gender, as well as HIV/AIDS and disaster risk reduction into all its programme interventions.

The DFID Jamaica programme continues to enjoy positive relationships with other international development partners who are working to strengthen the system that would enable more people in the region to have access to public services.

Last updated: 29 November 2007

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