Nearly US$20 million flows into Clarendon monthly in remittances, according to a new Migration Chapter created for the parish’s Local Sustainable Development Plan (LSDP). 

The chapter was developed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding from the IOM Development Fund, in partnership with the Clarendon Municipal Corporation (CMC) to strengthen parish‑level planning.

The document presents an evidence‑based framework to support Clarendon’s response to migration dynamics. It reflects a collaborative effort that involved the Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society (PDCBS) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

Drawing on national data and primary research, the chapter noted that 35% of Clarendon households have at least one member living abroad, and there is a significant loss of working-age residents through emigration, with corresponding challenges for families left behind. It also highlighted the growing role of migrant-owned businesses and diaspora networks in local economic development, and reintegration challenges faced by involuntary returnees.

Commenting on these trends and on the chapter handover, Head of Office of the IOM in Jamaica, Natasha Greaves, said, “Migration is often discussed as a national or international issue, but it is also closely linked to development outcomes at the local level. By embedding migration into Clarendon’s development planning, this chapter helps ensure that policies are grounded in evidence, responsive to population realities, and focused on unlocking migration’s positive impact for communities.”

At the chapter’s handover ceremony, the Mayor of May Pen, Clarendon, Joel Williams, said migration has played a major role in shaping the parish. He explained, “This migration chapter provides us with the research data and strategic direction needed to better understand these realities and to make smarter, more inclusive decisions for the sustainable growth of the parish.”

The integration of the Migration Chapter into Clarendon’s LSDP is expected to support more informed decision‑making, strengthen coordination among agencies, and guide targeted interventions that promote inclusive growth, social cohesion, and resilience.

The handover underscores IOM’s continued commitment to supporting national and local partners in aligning migration governance with Jamaica’s development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).