By Serena Grant
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Jamaicans in the diaspora will have the opportunity to contribute their skills, expertise and investments to the nation’s rebuilding through the National Reconstruction and Recovery Agency (NaRRA).
NaRRA was established by the government to coordinate and accelerate recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by hurricane Melissa.
The entity is tasked with mobilising resources, facilitating partnerships and overseeing initiatives aimed at rebuilding homes, infrastructure and livelihoods in affected communities.
Minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, senator Kamina Johnson Smith, said that NaRRA provides an important platform to connect overseas Jamaicans with opportunities to contribute beyond philanthropic efforts.
In a ministerial interview with Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Giovanni Dennis, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, June 16, where the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference is being held, senator Johnson Smith noted that diasporans are showing a lot of interest in NaRRA.
Minister Smith said that there are Jamaicans overseas who are highly accomplished professionals, entrepreneurs and business operators who are eager to support Jamaica’s development while creating sustainable opportunities for growth.
“What you’re going to get is people who are not only interested in talking about reconstruction or resilience but who want to find out how to get a path into either investing or to lending their skills,” minister Smith pointed out. “We have really successful Jamaicans overseas who want to not only give back but also to invest, and NaRRA will provide an opportunity for that.”
Additionally, senator Smith said the record participation at this year’s conference reflects growing confidence in the diaspora engagement programme and the increasing desire among overseas Jamaicans to contribute to nation-building.
The minister noted that initiatives emerging from the conference are producing real results, including business partnerships, community projects and recovery programmes that directly benefit Jamaicans. The minister highlighted the Diaspora Day of Service, which this year includes 21 registered projects ranging from medical missions and dental-care initiatives to housing reconstruction, school rehabilitation and psychosocial support programmes.
“There is a major project in Parottee [St Elizabeth] where they are essentially rebuilding a massive community chicken coop … and they will build it in one day. They have enough people and material for that. Plus, they are then donating cash to the community to buy the broilers for them to start up a cooperative and to get back into earning as a cooperative,” minister Smith said
The 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference is being held under the theme ‘Diaspora Partnerships: Rebuilding for a more Resilient Jamaica.’