Resilience of vulnerable communities to be enhanced
THE capacity of the island’s vulnerable communities to improve their resilience to climate change and other risk factors has been further boosted with an allocation of $19.6 million.
As outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, the money has been provided under the ‘Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas’ project.
The project aims to protect the livelihood and food security in vulnerable communities by improving land and water management for the agricultural sector; strengthen coastal protection; and build institutional capacity against climate change risks.
Physical achievements under the project up to December 2015 include the accreditation of the Planning Institute of Jamaica as a National Implementing Entity by the Adaptation Fund Board; development and finalisation of the full programme proposal, inclusive of an engineering study for the installation of submerged breakwaters in Negril; and capacity building and training initiatives undertaken (procurement, gender and risk management).
Additionally, a branding proposal and communication strategy have been prepared; a national Stakeholders’ Consultation has been held; and a portfolio monitoring mission has been facilitated from the AFB. Further, links and synergies have been built for greater impact. This included participation in International Medical Services for Health symposium, as well as the AF Climate Readiness Seminar, in Washington, DC, in July 2015.
Anticipated targets for the 2016/17 period are to: continue programme coordination and monitoring activities; complete the final programme evaluation; coordinate a programme close-out ceremony; facilitate an external audit (end-of-project); and prepare and submit final reports to donor.
The project, which is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica, with funding from the Adaptation Fund, was originally slated to run from October 2012 to March 2016. Following an extension, the project is now expected to come to a close in December 2017.