Canada Fund Grants J$32m to 11 Local Organisations for Post-Hurricane Recovery

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) has awarded approximately J$32 million to 11 humanitarian and community‑based organisations, supporting education recovery and community‑led development efforts in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The organisations were recognised during a Spotlight Event at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew on Thursday (January 22), held under the theme ‘Rebuilding Futures: Education, Resilience and Community Action’.

Two of the projects are dedicated to education recovery, specifically identified in response to Hurricane Melissa, while the remaining nine reflect Canada’s prior commitment to community‑led initiatives.

Collectively, the projects address pressing challenges facing Jamaican communities, including access to education and student well‑being, peacebuilding and violence prevention, gender‑based violence prevention and mental health, youth empowerment and economic resilience, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, welcomed the engagements, noting that Canada’s support to Jamaica, through the CFLI and wider humanitarian initiatives, has spanned more than 35 years.

“Following Hurricane Melissa, Canada moved swiftly and decisively, contributing significant humanitarian and recovery support, including education-focused interventions and community-based initiatives that recognise a simple reality – you cannot rebuild a nation if you neglect its children,” she said.

Ms. Crawford noted that Canada’s assistance is contributing to key pillars of Jamaica’s recovery, including educational continuity, psychological and emotional stabilisation, nutrition protection and inclusion, as well as long‑term resilience and social cohesion.

She expressed gratitude to the Canadian Government, the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica, and partner agencies responsible for implementing the projects.

In his remarks, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, noted that the CFLI is among Canada’s most locally grounded instruments for achieving quick, community‑driven impact.

He emphasised that the projects are identified, selected, and implemented in partnership with Jamaican organisations that possess the deepest understanding of their communities.

“From school nutrition and literary support to alternative dispute resolutions in schools to counselling and vocational training for women and girls, these projects reflect the creativity, commitment, and leadership of Jamaican civil society,” the High Commissioner affirmed.

Highlighting the significant impact of Hurricane Melissa on educational institutions in western Jamaica, Mr. Berman noted that “schools were damaged, resources were lost, and students and teachers faced real uncertainty”.

“While rebuilding is progressing rapidly and students are gradually returning to classrooms, we also recognise that much remains to be done to get back on track,” he added.

The High Commissioner emphasised that education is central to recovery, ensuring that no child is left behind and that the prospects of Jamaica’s young people are safeguarded.

“Canada is providing J$11.3 million in humanitarian assistance to support two initiatives that will help to quickly restore learning, while also addressing the psychosocial needs of students and teachers,” he informed.

Mr. Berman noted that the ‘School in a Box’ Programme, implemented by the Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation in collaboration with EduFocal, together with Project STAR’s ‘Hurricane Melissa Educational Re‑Start Initiative’, will benefit a combined total of 4,430 students in western Jamaica.

He stated that the Government of Canada looks forward to its partnership with the implementing agencies and to the rapid impact their initiatives will deliver.

“Supporting children to return to learning after a disaster is not only a humanitarian response; it’s an investment in long-term resilience,” Mr. Berman affirmed.

Meanwhile, he noted that Canada has responded to Hurricane Melissa with more than Can$13 million – approximately J$1.5 billion – in international assistance funding.

This includes Can$6.1 million in development assistance to strengthen emergency preparedness, health infrastructure, and food systems, as well as Can$7.3 million – approximately J$800 million – in humanitarian assistance to meet immediate needs following Hurricane Melissa.

“This humanitarian assistance has included a matching fund with the Canadian Red Cross, whereby the Government of Canada has matched up to Can$1.5 million in individual donations to the Hurricane Melissa appeal,” High Commissioner Berman stated.

He indicated that much of this assistance has been channelled through partnerships with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDEMA), the United Nations (UN) Central Emergency

Response Fund (CERF), the Red Cross Disaster Response Emergency Fund, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

“This reflects Canada’s long-standing partnership with Jamaica and our commitment to stand with Jamaica in times of need, both in our moment of crisis and throughout your continued recovery,” High Commissioner Berman added.