Jamaica
Since Jamaica gained independence from the British in 1962, the country enjoyed significant development progress in its social, economic, and political history. The country attracts over one million travelers from the U.S. each year and is the U.S.’s third largest trading partner in the Caribbean.
Despite being a destination for tourists, Jamaica struggles with high levels of crime. Frequent natural disasters impact key sectors (such as tourism and agriculture) and threaten the development gains Jamaica has achieved since independence. HIV/AIDS remains at epidemic levels in Jamaica and is an obstacle to the region’s overall effort to achieve epidemic control. The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected Jamaicans health, strained the country’s health system, and battered its economy.
USAID/Jamaica remains committed to supporting the country and people of Jamaica. USAID helps Jamaica capitalize upon its advanced levels of commitment and capacity to address outstanding development challenges that impede further progress. Areas of focus include: Citizen Security, Disaster Risk Reduction, HIV/AIDS and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
USAID has strategically chosen to invest in these sectors based on their potential compound effects. To achieve its goal, USAID will employ new models of partnership with Jamaica that leverage greater private sector and Government of Jamaica (GoJ) engagement, mobilize domestic resources, and build upon locally led initiatives. USAID will also identify and support opportunities for Jamaica to share its best practices with other Caribbean countries–thereby furthering Jamaica’s ability to play a greater leadership role within the region.
