UK and Jamaica Sign Memorandum of Understanding to formalize £15 million Violence Prevention Partnership

The Following is a Press Release from The British High Commissioner - April 24, 2024

Her Excellency Judith Slater

 

The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Government of Jamaica have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the UK-Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP). The UK has committed £15 million to the partnership over the next six years to support the Government of Jamaica’s (GoJ) efforts to reduce violent crime. The VPP was announced by former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly when he visited Jamaica in May 2023.

 

The partnership will support the Government of Jamaica to develop more effective responses to the underlying causes of violence. It will promote an integrated, evidence-based and multisectoral response to address the root causes of violence in a number of schools and targeted communities. The programme will be implemented within the framework of GOJ’s Citizen Security Plan (CSP), and will target seven vulnerable communities and schools within these communities.

 

The VPP will build on previous social intervention and crime prevention support provided by the UK, including the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJPIII), jointly funded with the Inter-American Development Bank and Government of Canada from 2014-2020.

 

Speaking at the signing Ceremony, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Judith Slater said:

 

“The UK is pleased to be working with Jamaica to address one of the challenges that matter most to people here.”

 

“We are committed to supporting Jamaica in countering the issue of violent crime. This programme will help to tackle the causes of crime at source and build a safer, more prosperous society for all Jamaicans.”

 

The MoU was signed at the Ministry of National Security by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe and UK Development Representative for Jamaica, Mr. Oliver Blake – and witnessed by British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Judith Slater, Minister of Education, The Honourable Fayval Williams and State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, The Honourable Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.

__________________________