Jamaica

Because of its location in the Caribbean, Jamaica is particularly vulnerable to the effects of devastating tropical storms and hurricanes. Over the years, CRS has provided disaster relief and helped farmers who have lost their crops. CRS primarily focuses on strengthening the ability of our partners to better prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other emergencies through a series of trainings that help mitigate the negative effects of natural disasters.

At present, CRS operates a small Caribbean Outreach office based in Jamaica in partnership with the Archdiocese of Kingston and Mustard Seed Communities. With this more structured presence, CRS continues to prioritize its work in disaster risk reduction and emergency response in Jamaica.

The Youth Emergency Action Committee (YEAC) Project started in Jamaica post hurricane Dean in 2009. It is aimed at strengthening the capacity of vulnerable urban communities to prepare and respond to disasters by equipping their youth with the requisite knowledge and skill sets to do the same. The YEAC model approaches disaster risk reduction from the community or “grassroots” level, incorporating the people most affected by disasters in formulating strategies and solutions to increase their own resilience.

Since 2011, the Catholic Church in Kingston, through its Justice and Peace Commission, has partnered with CRS to formulate and implement the Harmony in Rhythm project. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of the Archdiocese of Kingston to promote peacebuilding and restorative justice practices through two channels – the school and church.

The project involves the promotion of peacebuilding in schools by equipping teachers with skills in mediation and restorative justice, implementation of peacebuilding projects at the school level and mentorship. At the church level, trained peacemakers and facilitators have been integrating the ministry of peacemaking in churches and organizing for outreach.