Diplomatic and international communities recognised for their invaluable assistance to the national COVID-19 response

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has commended the local diplomatic corps and their respective governments for contributing to Jamaica’s coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts over the past two years.

Addressing the Diplomatic Week Ministerial Briefings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Port Royal Street, downtown Kingston yesterday (March 10), Holness observed that the diplomatic and international communities’ invaluable assistance to the national COVID-19 response, along with their much-needed development and technical assistance over the years.

The Ministerial Briefings, which featured presentations by several members of the Cabinet, formed part of activities marking Diplomatic Week 2022 from March 8 to 10, under the theme ‘Reigniting a Nation: Global Excellence, Our Mission’.

“You have generously donated field hospitals, mobile units, medical equipment and, very importantly, vaccines. You have responded unequivocally to our urgent appeals for help, and, for this, we are grateful,” the prime minister advised.

Deepening our engagements

He charged that the diplomatic corp has served to “fortify our resilience, deepen our engagements and strengthen our resolve to emerge stronger and better from the pandemic and other crises. Your hard work, dedication… and diplomacy have been central to strengthening the bonds of friendship that exists”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith also expressed gratitude for the generous diplomatic support for Jamaica’s COVID-19 and other health-related responses.

She made special mention of gestures by the Governments of Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

“We also express our gratitude to the African Medical Supplies Platform, the COVAX Facility, Pan American Health Organization, Caribbean Public Health Agency, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and other CARICOM institutions, as well as the United Nations system, for their willing support in providing personal protective equipment, vaccines and other medical and health assistance during our time of greatest need,” Johnson Smith said.

The foreign affairs minister added that the Government was pleased that, through the support of the Jamaican private sector, “we were able to provide medical supplies to Cuba as it, too, confronted challenges, and we stood in solidarity in dealing with the pandemic”.

She also acknowledged those nations reaching out to offer support, which, she noted, could not be pursued “due to our limited absorptive capacity”, adding “we recognise, thank and also salute you”.