Ambassador Audrey Marks highlights America’s dwindling support for social programmes

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is being nudged to increase its support to Jamaica for critical projects, particularly in addressing crime.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to Washington, Audrey Marks, is calling for increased support from USAID whilst highlighting the fact that the United States of America (USA) project support to the island has been cut to US$60 million for 2020-2025, coming from US$123.4 million for 2013-2020.

Addressing last week’s swearing-in ceremony for the new USAID country representative for Jamaica, Dr Jay Singh, at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington DC, Marks cited the tremendous progress in bilateral relations between the two countries. She, however, conceded to the need for strong and well-funded collaboration to complete initiatives such as Plan Secure Jamaica, which is currently the major bilateral project with the State Department.

According to Jamaica’s top diplomat in America, “The implementation of this project will streamline the many initiatives already being undertaken by the USA in Jamaica with a focus on countering organised crime and illicit trafficking, strengthening energy security, creating jobs through increased trade and investment, and building resilience to climate change.”

She declared: “USAID is uniquely positioned to support the implementation of this initiative, and we look forward to working with the agency on this,” adding that the Jamaican Government is deeply appreciative of the long-standing relationship with the USAID, which has had “a positive impact on many lives in Jamaica”.

USAID CAN DO MORE

Marks observed that this year, Jamaica is celebrating 61 years of partnership with America and “through the involvement and support of its many agencies, with the USAID at the forefront, we have completed many projects that are propelling our socio-economic growth and have impacted many lives in Jamaica”.

She welcomed the new USAID representative, who, in his remarks, reiterated his resolve in supporting the partnership between Jamaica and the USAID. “I am convinced that USAID can do more for Jamaica and I’m committed to find the money, where I can, to bolster existing projects and introduce new ones, as Jamaica has been through a lot and needs our support,” Singh pledged.

USAID’s deputy administrator, Paloma Adams-Allen, who, like Marks, hails from the parish of St Mary, cited that for more than 60 years, USAID has partnered with Jamaica to move education, health, economic development, and prosperity forward.

“Today, our efforts are to address crime and violence, strengthen the health system and bolster Jamaica’s defences against the climate crisis. However, most importantly, the foundation that we have built together over the years is strong,” Adams-Allen noted.

She said the social-intervention programmes introduced are helping a new generation of Jamaican youth to build livelihoods and stimulate the local economy.