Greening Red Cross & Red Crescent Disaster and Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) Project

The Eco-DRR project will see the JRC and partners continuing the intervention in the Old Harbour Bay community, capitalizing on the groundbreaking work of the Resilient Islands Project, which has laid the foundation for the almost immediate implementation of Nature-based Solutions from an already developed and prioritised suite of options, to reduce climate and disaster risks faced by Jamaica’s largest fishing community.

Greening Red Cross & Red Crescent Disaster
The project will also see the expansion of eco-based DRR measures into two additional vulnerable communities, which will again be selected in partnership with government and other stakeholders, chiefly the ODPEM and will see activities ranging from initial community mobilization and engagement, all the way to the implementation of eco-DRR and NbS interventions. using the R2R as the implementation strategy.

Key activities

Some of the key planned activities include:

  • Activities to engage and connect with new target communities and remain connected to existing community
  • Critical baseline assessments such as Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) Surveys to determine knowledge gaps and form the foundation for knowledge and awareness building programme
  • Rapid ecological assessments and vulnerability and capacity assessments of target communities to determine the most optimal eco-DRR and NbS solutions
  • Development of community Eco-DRR resilience action plans
  • Formation of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction teams in target communities to lead implementation of actions and build capacity to reduce disaster risks
  • Revision and updating of existing tools and processes to include NbS considerations
  • Implementation of eco-DRR and NbS measures, e.g. ridge-to-reef restoration and living breakwaters (measures TBC based on community assessments and consultations
  • Coalition building and learning workshops to further raise the profile and awareness of the value of eco-DRR and NbS within the Jamaica Red Cross, government and other partners, as well as in local communities.

Key partners

Key Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government of Jamaica will remain critical JRC Partners as we implement this project over the next two years. These include The Nature Conservancy, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM); the National Environment and Planning Agency, The St Catherine Municipal Corporation and the respective Municipal Corporations for the two new communities that will be selected, the Social Development Commission, our community engagement partners, the Urban Development Corporation, various Community Based Organizations in target communities (Community Development, Fisherfolks Council, Schools, Churches etc.), the local communities themselves and the many new partners who will be revealed and engaged once we touch the ground and lastly and it goes without saying, the IFRC and other NS.

Through the support of the USAID BHA, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its local partners, the Jamaica Red Cross is pleased to be engaged for the next two years in strengthening its resolve to protecting local communities and building their resilience to climatic and disaster risks, as we continue to accompany, enable and connect them in unprecedented times.