Jamaica continued its collaboration with bilateral partners to increase opportunities for trade and investment and to develop initiatives to address the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Consular Affairs – COVID-19 response
• A JamCOVID-19 controlled re-entry portal and website were developed to manage the re-entry programme.
• Cash allocations were provided to some 220 nationals in China, including students, who were in need of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• The Ministry also facilitated contact with financial institutions to secure waivers, in respect of late fees (student loans, etc.) and provided care packages and support to nationals requiring assistance.
• Assistance was provided in relation to visa and immigration issues, guidance on travel routes to Jamaica, and information on developments in Jamaica affecting travel.
• The Ministry assisted foreign nationals stranded in Jamaica as a result of the closure of the island’s borders.
COVID External Support Coordination Committee
• The COVID-19 External Support Coordination Committee secured over US$12 million in the form of funding, PPE, medical supplies and technical assistance from bilateral and multilateral partners as well as Non-Governmental Organisations and private-sector groups.
Bilateral, Regional & Hemispheric Developments
• Jamaica welcomed the Vice-President of Colombia, Her Excellency Marta Lucia Ramirez, on an official visit.
• Jamaica hosted Senior Director for Latin America and the Caribbean from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Ambassador Marian Schuegraf, on a working visit.
CARICOM
• Jamaica assumed Chairmanship of the Sub-Committee on the
Common Protocol to strengthen Food Security within the context of the CARICOM COVID-19 Agri-Food Management Framework.
Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
• Jamaica was elected to the post of Chair of the ACS Special Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction during elections held in June. Jamaica was also elected as Vice-Chair of the Special Committee on Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation.
Organization of American States (OAS)
• Jamaica assumed the Chair of the Permanent Council of the OAS in
October, for three months.
Diaspora
• The Ministry hosted the second teleconference of the Global Jamaica
Diaspora Council. Discussions focused on creating working groups to facilitate the Council’s approach to operationalisation.
• A new Minister with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, Senator the Hon. Leslie Campbell, was appointed.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
• Jamaica participated in a virtual meeting with the Regional Conference on Social Development in the Caribbean to share actions and measures being taken to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
