Jamaica

FY 2001 Program Description and Activity Data Sheets

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FY 2001 Program USAID's planned FY 2001 program will directly support Agency goals of promoting economic growth, protecting the environment, stabilizing world population and protecting human health and developing human resources. Toward these goals, USAID's program will support broad-based economic growth and better governance by reducing business constraints and fostering conditions for competition; improving small and medium sized companies' business and technical skills; and increasing private financing to the micro and small business sectors. Activities will target the reduction of redundant bureaucratic requirements which impede business start-up and development, improving the environment for business competition (especially within the telecommunications sector) and improving capacity of local institutions to provide business skills training. In Kingston's blighted inner city communities, USAID will target improved economic and social conditions by working with local NGOs already in these areas to generate jobs, provide skills training and provide micro-enterprise credit and business support services. Improving community capacity for conflict resolution will be an important component of this activity. USAID's response to Jamaica's environmental threats will be delivered through an integrated "ridge-to-reef" resource management program that assists community-based NGOs implement activities that improve the quality of coastal waters and upland watersheds, e.g. agro-forestry, eco-tourism, appropriate on-site sanitation solutions and environmental audit programs. Other interventions will focus on improving the policy framework and wastewater/sewage management. USAID's efforts to improve reproductive health will focus on the high-risk adolescent population. Assistance will increase availability and access to youth-friendly reproductive health services; develop and disseminate educational materials and innovative approaches to encourage changes in high-risk behaviors; and strengthen reproductive health policies. To improve human capacity, USAID will continue to implement its primary education assistance program to improve literacy/numeracy levels of at-risk primary school students, develop a new education policy element and launch a new adolescent education program aimed at addressing the needs of the nation's 80,000 out of school youth. [an error occurred while processing this directive] ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Business Environment for Developing the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Sectors, 532-001 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,000,000 (DA) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,500,000 (DA) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Jamaica's economy continues to deteriorate, with 1998 marking the third consecutive year of negative economic growth (GDP). The structural problems underlying the country's inability to generate economic growth include weak institutions (financial and non-financial) which support the private sector, the high cost of credit, an inadequately trained workforce and the lack of government incentives to foster business development. High levels of crime and violence further undermine efforts to promote investment, employment and growth. Given USAID's limited resources, the Mission has made a strategic decision to focus its assistance on improving the business environment for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME)-building on past success-and in areas such as regulatory reform where USAID has a comparative advantage relative to other donors. Micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (SMMEs) are being severely affected by the recession. To turn the economy around, the environment in which businesses operate must be greatly improved. Currently, there are 41 government agencies working with the private sector. As a result, there are many overlapping bureaucratic requirements and procedures that inhibit trade and investment in Jamaica. In addition, key sectors of the economy, such as the telecommunications sector, have monopoly status that impacts on business performance. Mediocre product quality and poor services are also key impediments to the competitiveness and growth of enterprises. USAID's revised five-year strategic objective focus will be on improving the overall business and regulatory environment so micro, small and medium sized businesses in Jamaica can prosper and generate employment. The beneficiaries will primarily be those Jamaicans who gain employment, the general public who will have greater access to information technology and modern telecommunications, and the entrepreneurs whose business opportunities improve. Key Results: Three key results must be achieved to meet the overall strategic objective: (1) reduced business constraints, while fostering competition--a reduction in the time SMMEs spend addressing government requirements and regulations is anticipated, as well as an increase in the number of cellular operators serving Jamaica; (2) improved small and medium sized company skills--an increase in the number of companies/organizations providing business services to SMMEs on a sustained basis is expected; and (3) increased private financing to the micro and small business sectors--both an increase in the number of loans to micro and small businesses and increase in the value of the loan portfolio is expected. Performance and Prospects: The performance of USAID's micro-enterprise program was mixed in 1999. With more than 6,400 loans made, the program target was exceeded by 64 percent. However, the value of the loan portfolio, at approximately $1 million, fell short of the $32.5 million target. With the Government takeover of Workers Bank, the program's implementing institution, the portfolio was unable to expand. The micro-enterprise lending program was capped by a $1 million line of credit from the Bank of Jamaica. During FY2000, the government will divest control over the portfolio and the micro-enterprise loan program will be expanded both financially and geographically. Under the Small Business Export Development program which ends in December 1999, exports for 1999 are projected to increase by 27% to $13.6 million. The number of jobs created fell 386 below its planned target of 1,530 due to downsizing by several companies as a result of the economic recession. Possible Adjustments to Plans: During FY 2000, USAID will design new activities that will improve the overall operating environment for business in Jamaica to grow. The program will focus on (1) reducing regulatory constraints to doing business, (2) improving the skills of selected businesses to better allow them to compete in the global economy and (3) promoting increased private financing to the micro and small enterprise sectors. USAID will provide technical assistance and training to: (a) streamline the approval process and identify and eliminate bottlenecks in areas such as registering new businesses, obtaining business licenses, obtaining import permits, and clearing goods through the ports; (b) assist in broader competition and lowering costs in key sectors such as telecommunications; (c) improve product quality and the standard of services provided by SMMEs; and (d) expand micro and small business access to credit and strengthen the newly privatized institution. Other Donor Programs: Other donors working in the area of economic growth with a focus on the SMME sectors include the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations Development Program, the Canadian Development Agency and the UK's Department for International Development. Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current and potential partners include Union Bank, the Financial Sector Adjustment Company, Jamaica Exporters Association, Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, CARANA, and FINTRAC. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1998) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Number of loans per year 2,949 6,423 8,500 17,000 Value of loan portfolio ($million) 1.0 1.0 3.0 6.0 Number of jobs created 1,391 1,144 1,512 1,3611 Illustrative indicators for new activities: % reduction of time for SMMEs to address government requirements and regulations Number of cellular operators Number of loans per year Value of loan portfolio 1The business creation figures are based on the ongoing Small Business Export Development activity. As assistance is provided, we anticipate that exports will increase but because of increased efficiencies, job creation will decrease in the short term. We anticipate employment increases in the years beyond 2001. It should be noted that we will be re-examining and developing new indicators to better reflect the development impact of USAID activities. U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Quality of Key Natural Resources in Selected Areas That Are Both Environmentally and Economically Significant (Ridge to Reef Program), 532-002 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $3,485,000 (DA) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $3,985,000 (DA) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Most of Jamaica's population and economic activity is concentrated within the island's coastal zone areas-areas which encompass the fragile natural resource base on which the island's most important foreign exchange earner, tourism, depends. Overexploitation of coastal resources, including the conversion of forests to other uses--typically for housing or commercial construction, agriculture or firewood collection--and improper disposal of waste from tourism-related activities, urban development and industrial activities have had a serious negative impact on the island's coastal ecosystems. Soil and agricultural chemical run-off generated in the mountainous interior further aggravate the situation. With more than fifty-percent of that terrain having slopes greater than twenty degrees, its surface is extremely vulnerable to erosion. The proliferation of unplanned human settlements in the hills above key tourism centers is another significant source of pollution and environmental threat. Land degradation and pollution in the hills is quickly manifested in Jamaica's coastal resources, particularly as damage to the coral reefs caused by siltation and nutrient load. This link between activities in upland watersheds and their impact on the quality of Jamaica's prized coastal waters is the basis of the Mission's "Ridge to Reef" environmental management program. The program's purpose is to reverse the trend of environmental degradation by promoting environmentally sound practices and policies that will result in the sustainable management of the natural resource base on which Jamaica's economy depends. Key beneficiaries include the 300,000 Jamaicans who live in the towns and watersheds near the targeted tourism areas where USAID will provide assistance, including the 28,000 people whose livelihoods depend directly on tourism in these areas. The conservation of Jamaica's bio-diversity and economically valuable resources will ensure benefits for these Jamaicans and others far into the future. An estimated 112,000 Jamaicans will benefit from improved wastewater management. Key Results: After only one year of implementation, 20 percent of targeted resource users have adopted environmentally sound practices introduced through USAID assistance. Among those resource users are hotels, farmers and households within targeted communities. Significant progress is reflected in the development of two policies which will have a positive impact on the environment--(1) a policy making hook-up to wastewater systems mandatory for businesses and households within a prescribed radius of the systems' waste conveyance network; and (2) a policy which supports public-private partnerships for wastewater systems management. Performance and Prospects: Overall performance during FY 1999 met expectations. USAID- sponsored training and technical assistance contributed to a 30% increase in the percentage of effluent samples leaving the Negril wastewater treatment plant that met standards set by Jamaica's Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA). National Water Commission (NWC) wastewater treatment plant workers in Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay were trained in areas critical to efficient plant operation. In Negril, a public-private partnership between the NWC and community stakeholders (including local private sector and nongovernmental organization representatives) gave the community a significant role in managing the town's wastewater treatment plant, and in Ocho Rios stakeholders have put in place a similar arrangement for management of that town's new wastewater treatment plant. The institutional capacity of local environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) has been demonstrably improved, with eight of them carrying out on-the-ground environmental activities. In Negril, the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society and the Negril Environmental Protection Trust took the lead in coastal water quality monitoring and are members of the town's wastewater management committee. Other ENGOs promoted the adoption of improved environmental practices in local communities, including the construction of appropriate on-site solutions for waste disposal and organic farming. Five hotels that participated in a program that targets hotel adoption of environmental management systems have achieved international recognition through the Green Globe certification program. Negril Cabins was the first hotel in the world to receive certification. Although water quality in Negril's coastal zone meets US-EPA standards for fecal coliform, the levels in some of the rivers flowing into the coastal waters are very high. The North and South Negril rivers have high nutrient and coliform rates due to agricultural run-off and informal settlements in the watershed and along the rivers. A new component of the Ridge to Reef program, scheduled to begin in late FY2000, will target specifically those threats to the environment which have their source in activities taking place in upland watersheds. Progress toward creating a sound policy framework has also been encouraging. The GOJ has adopted a new national water policy which supports public-private partnerships for wastewater management, and another recently drafted policy will make it mandatory for NWC customers within a certain radius of the newly built wastewater system networks to hook up. The NWC has also raised its rate for wastewater collection and treatment which, at double the old rate, offers almost full recovery for the actual cost of the service. Concerned with the lack of credit available for environmental improvements, USAID conducted a study of the demands for such financing in the hotel and manufacturing sectors and the rates of return on environmental investments. Based on the findings, USAID initiated preliminary discussions with local financial institutions. USAID will also continue to work with the GOJ on policies that provide economic incentives for the adoption of improved environmental practices. Possible Adjustments to Plans: No adjustments are anticipated. Other Donor Programs: USAID is collaborating closely with other donors under the auspices of two UNDP-led environmental working groups. USAID is working closely with the Canadian International Development Agency in the development of policy for improved environmental management practices by government and the private sector. The IDB and the European Union are also supporting watershed management programs, and the EU and the German government support policy reforms in wastewater management. These other donors collectively spend approximately $5 million a year on the environment. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Grantees include The Nature Conservancy, the GOJ's Natural Resources Conservation Authority and several local ENGOs, such as the Negril Environmental Protection Trust, Jamaica Conservation Development Trust, the Negril Chamber of Commerce and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory. Associates in Rural Development is the primary contractor. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1998) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Targeted resource users adopting improved environmental practices(%) 0 20 30 40 Number of economic policies enacted by the GOJ 0 2 3 4 Effluent samples from targeted sewage treatment plants meeting GOJ effluent standards (%) 23 30 40 50 U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Reproductive Health of Youth, 532-003 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,145,000 (DA), $1,075,000 (CSD) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,950,000 (DA), $2,525,000 (CSD) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Jamaica has relatively good health indicators reflecting both an aging population due to declining fertility and mortality and changes in risks attributable to urbanization, industrialization and lifestyle. Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, account for approximately 60% of the total disease burden as measured by disability adjusted life years. Total fertility rates have declined significantly from a high of 6.7 births per woman (15-49 age group) in 1960 to 2.8 in 1997. However, birth rates among adolescents remain a concern. Indeed, the age specific fertility rates for the 15-24 year-old cohort increased from 107 live births per 1,000 women in 1993 to 112 in 1997. This has implications for educational attainment as less than one-third of the adolescent females who gave birth prior to the fourth year of secondary school returned to school after the birth. Furthermore, adolescents (10-19) account for 62 percent of all cases of obstetric complications reported by hospitals. There is also higher HIV seroprevalence (2.1%) among 20-24 year-old antenatal clinic attenders than among antenatal clinic attenders in general (1.6%). The seroprevalence and high fertility rate among this age group has serious implications for maternal to child transmission of HIV as well as for pediatric AIDS. USAID's response to these challenges is an adolescent reproductive health (ARH) program to increase adolescents' use of quality reproductive health and HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/AIDS/STI) services and preventive practices by making more delivery points youth-friendly; improving knowledge and skills related to reproductive health and HIV/AIDS/STIs; and providing an overall policy environment supportive of adolescents and their reproductive health. The purpose of this program is to improve the reproductive health of young Jamaicans between the ages of 10-24 and enhance their transition to adulthood. Key Results: The number of infectious (primary and secondary) syphilis cases reported during the period from January to June 1999 was down by 40% compared to the same period in 1998. This decline indicates a significant decrease in high-risk behavior associated with the spread of all sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. It reflects increased use of protective condoms, decreased frequency of multiple partners and more individuals seeking early diagnosis and treatment of STIs. Performance and Prospects: During the past year, an amendment to USAID's adolescent reproductive health program was approved and a contract to implement the program awarded. Progress has also been made to improve monitoring and surveillance under the ongoing HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and control activity. HIV seroprevalence among pregnant women attending prenatal clinics increased from 1.5% in 1998 to 1.6% in September 1999-representing a 7% rate of increase, down dramatically from the 68% annual rate of increase of the early 1990s. USAID activities aim to further decrease the rate of increase over the next five years. Major training activities were conducted to assist NGOs and Government of Jamaica (GOJ) agencies to deliver educational programs related to prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs to youth both in-school and out-of-school. Access to condoms increased by establishing an additional 585 non-traditional outlets. The cumulative figure for these outlets now stands at 2,000. Linkages with the Ministry of Education were strengthened through a collaborative activity that brought together a creative arts NGO, nurses and school guidance counselors. The NGO trained and assisted the nurses and counselors to use innovative, interactive creative arts methods to teach students about sexually transmitted infections and create a comfortable environment for talking about this sensitive subject matter. Possible Adjustments to Plans: No adjustments are anticipated. Other Donor Programs: USAID is the lead donor in the area of reproductive health focusing on adolescents as well as HIV/AIDS/STIs. The United Nations Family Planning Program (UNFPA), the only other donor at present implementing programs in adolescent reproductive health, has designed a three-year, $780,000 project to be implemented in three sites. USAID also collaborates with the Pan American Health Organization and the German Technical Cooperation programs which provide limited support to ARH-related activities. Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current grantees and contractors include the Futures Group International, the Academy for Educational Development, Family Health International, Pathfinder International and JHPIEGO Corporation. GOJ entities include the Ministry of Health (Epidemiology Unit) and the National Family Planning Board. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1998) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) HIV seroprevalence (%) among high risk STI clinic attenders (by age group)1     a) 15-19     b) 20-24     c) all age groups 5.6 5.6 7.1 3.1 6.4 7.2 4.6 6.4 7.7 4.9 6.8 8.3 HIV seroprevalence (%) among antenatal clinic attenders (by age group)1     a) 15-19     b) 20-24     c) all age groups 2.5 0.6 1.5 1.0 2.1 1.61 1.83 1.45 1.72 1.96 1.55 1.84 Policy Environment Score2 54.1 55.1 58 60 1Given the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS transmission, USAID does not expect HIV seroprevalence to decrease over the life of this activity. Rather, this program aims to slow the rate at which HIV is being spread, as captured by annual targets that increase at a decreasing rate. In fact, the rate of increase for HIV seroprevalence has decreased from around 68% in the early 1990s to 7% in the last few years-an achievement which Ministry of Health officials attribute to USAID/GOJ-supported HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and control activities. While the data and targets for "all age groups" show a fairly stable level of increase in HIV seroprevalence (an approximately 7% rate of increase), HIV seroprevalence for the age-disaggregated populations drops sharply between 1998 and 1999, with targets for 2000 and 2001 assuming an upward trend. Ministry of Health officials explain that data used in 1998-the first year of reporting age-disaggregated data-may have been skewed because they were collected from a parish with a high prevalence. The methodology was refined in 1999, resulting in data which provide a more accurate picture. The 2000 targets were derived by using an average of the 1998 and 1999 data. 2This score measures the degree to which the policy environment is supportive of effective reproductive health policies and programs. The score is an average percentage based on responses to an annual questionnaire by hospital department heads, reproductive health directors, donor agency officers, STD specialists, etc. U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Numeracy and Literacy among Targeted Jamaican Youth, 532-004 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $680,000 (DA), $2,282,000 (CSD) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,700,000 (CSD) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Jamaica's education system continues to struggle from the effects of economic stagnation and fiscal deficits of recent years. This has led to systemic problems such as overcrowding, lack of teaching materials and equipment and a large number of "untrained" teachers (i.e., teachers who complete secondary school but do not obtain a teaching diploma). These systemic weaknesses have led to poor attendance (although access to education is universal) and poor performance on standardized tests. Approximately 50% of students at grade 4 do not meet the minimum standards of reading competency. Scores in mathematics are equally poor, and performance in both areas continues to decline through grade 6. In addition, approximately 80,000 adolescents are either not in school or at risk of dropping out of school. Approximately 10,000 adolescents aged 10-14 are not enrolled in school and 4,000 10-18 year-olds drop out of school each year. To address systemic weaknesses of the primary school system and improve the performance of children in mathematics and reading, USAID's program provides integrated packages of interventions directed at primary schools serving children in low-income communities throughout the island. These interventions are customized to meet the specific needs of each of the 72 target schools. They include provision of teaching and learning materials for mathematics and reading; governance and leadership training for school principals and school boards; introduction of improved educational technology; in-service and pre-service teacher training; nutritional support to poor students and parenting education and training. To address the needs of the 80,000 adolescents who have either dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school, USAID works with local NGOs to provide remedial education and training for reinstatement in school and to improve their social and job skills. The purpose of this program is to improve the quality, equity and efficiency of Jamaica's educational system, strengthen civil society participation and improve the prospects of those youth who have fallen out or are at risk of falling out of the system. The direct beneficiaries are primary school students in selected schools and their teachers, principals and School Board members. Parents who become involved through the breakfast feeding programs and who receive information/guidance on methods for encouraging learning at home will also benefit from the program. Approximately 14,000 "at-risk" adolescents and the NGOs that work with them are also beneficiaries. Key Results: 700 primary school teachers and 72 principals have been trained to teach the new primary school curriculum (revised, with the assistance of USAID and the Inter-American Development Bank, for the first time in almost 20 years). Approximately 14,000 at-risk youth, i.e., 10-18 year-olds who have dropped out or are at risk or dropping out of school, have received remedial education to improve reading and math proficiency and training in vocational skills. Performance and Prospects: During the past year, full-scale implementation of USAID's primary education assistance program began. Activities included the selection of the 72 project schools (out of 894 primary schools) and completion of diagnostic assessments of these schools; training of 700 teachers and 72 principals in the new primary school curriculum; initiating breakfast programs in eight schools which by next year will reach approximately 1,000 students; and establishment of an Educational Management Information System (EMIS) that includes performance data (e.g. language/arts and math test scores), connects various data sources and provides feed-back to schools so that programs may be adjusted as needed. The EMIS will also improve school administrative systems. Targeting those youth who are outside of the formal school system, USAID continued to strengthen the managerial capacity of NGOs to deliver services to at-risk youth, ages 10-14 years. The services include remedial education to improve reading and math proficiency, developing skills such as carpentry and sewing, and personal and family counseling. Approximately 14,000 youth have benefited from this program. Several of the NGOs have been quite successful in getting street children back into school (approximately 37-40% of participating children) and maintaining high retention rates in their programs. Possible Adjustments to Plans: Potential new interventions to address policy constraints that impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the education system will be designed in the coming year. The current program activity which targets at-risk adolescents will be evaluated in FY2000 and a follow-on activity will be designed for implementation in FY 2001. Other Donor Programs: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing a major education sector loan ($28 million) to improve primary education. Areas of focus include the quality of teaching, institutional strengthening and improving school infrastructure. The British Department for International Development (DFID) intends to provide support (US$4.9 million) to 48 rural poor schools in the areas of teacher education; resource materials; school management and institutional strengthening. DFID's Caribbean Debt Initiative provides assistance ($7-$8 million) in the areas of physical infrastructure and resource materials. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Principal contractors include Development Associates Incorporated and Juarez and Associates Incorporated. Other development partners are the Ministry of Education & Culture; the Youth Unit of the Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development; the National Council on Education; and local NGOs. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1999) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Percent of students meeting near mastery criteria in mathematics:     Girls     Boys Gr. 3 50.0 32.9 Gr. 6 16.0 7.0 Gr. 3 N/A N/A Gr. 6 N/A N/A Gr. 3 54.0 39.0 Gr. 6 18.0 10.0 Gr. 3 58.0 43.0 Gr. 6 20.0 25.0 Percent of students meeting near mastery criteria in language arts:     Girls     Boys Gr. 3 75.0 53.0 Gr. 6 45.0 19.0 Gr. 3 N/A N/A Gr. 6 N/A N/A Gr. 3 77.0 55.0 Gr. 6 48.0 22.0 Gr. 3 80.0 60.0 Gr. 6 52.0 25.0 U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Economic and Social Conditions in Targeted Inner City Communities, 532-007 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,200,000 (ESF) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,500,000 (ESF) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Violent crime is one of the principal deterrents to growth and investment in Jamaica. Furthermore, it affects the quality of life and sense of personal security of the citizens. With over 800 murders last year, Jamaica has the highest murder rate in the region. Urban communities are particularly affected, with more than 50% of violent crimes concentrated in the Kingston/St. Andrew metropolitan area. The harsh conditions of poverty, including a lack of economic opportunities, poor housing and community infrastructure, and inadequate access to quality education and health care, lure the communities' youth toward crime. In addition, drug trafficking has become a major problem in these communities. Furthermore, there is a lack of trust in the police and courts as purveyors of the law. Corruption is widespread and police often alienate inner city residents. They are not perceived to be carrying out the law fairly, nor to offer security and protection to citizens. The result is a very harsh type of vigilantism wherein citizens look to local "dons" for security and protection rather than to the legal system. Recent successes in American cities have demonstrated that crime can be reduced through a combination of community policing, job creation and job placement. USAID's five-year Special Objective (SpO) activity will target improved economic and social conditions in targeted inner city communities. The purpose of this activity is to improve income and reduce conflict in Kingston's inner city communities. The direct beneficiaries will be inner city individuals and communities. Key Results: Two key results must be achieved to accomplish the special objective: (1) increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and (2) improved community capacity for conflict resolution. Performance and Prospects: This new Special Objective activity will start late in FY 2000. By reducing crime and improving community relations in the inner city, this SpO seeks to improve the area's business/investment environment. By their nature, these activities are high-risk. USAID, in collaboration with other donors, will work with NGOs (particularly those with successful track records in these volatile communities), the private sector and financial institutions to create partnerships that will (1) create and expand small and micro enterprises in the inner city; (2) improve the productive skills (technical and vocational) of inner city residents; and (3) develop a strong private sector commitment to the improvement of inner city communities. Working with NGOs, CBOs and community youth groups, USAID will assist community residents to resolve conflict by using alternative dispute resolution techniques. USAID will also work with CBOs, police stations, NGOs and inner city residents to facilitate the exchange of information, issues and ideas, with the ultimate goal of improving relations and trust among community factions and strengthening the respect for rule of law. Possible Adjustments to Plans: Adjustments will be made as the program is further defined. Other Donor Programs: The Office of the Prime Minister, through the Government of Jamaica's (GOJ's) Poverty Eradication Programme, has the overall coordinating role in this area. The Planning Institute of Jamaica is the main economic and social planning agency of the government and a central player in the development of the GOJ Inner City Renewal Project. USAID will work closely with the GOJ, including the Ministry of Community Development and the Ministry of Security and Justice, as well as the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Canada, and the British Department for International Development (DFID) who are also working with community based organizations in the inner city. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Potential partners include the Kingston Restoration Company, St. Patrick's Foundation and Food for the Poor, the Dispute Resolution Foundation and the University of the West Indies. USAID will explore opportunities with U.S. community-based organizations to share successful approaches to overcoming obstacles of inner city life. Selected Performance Measures: The activity design (now underway) involves bringing together NGOs, church leaders, government officials, representatives of companies carrying out business in these communities and residents. As part of this design process, USAID will define indicators and obtain baseline data to measure progress towards results it expects to achieve. Illustrative indicators include: number of jobs created/filled by inner city residents; number of new or expanded inner city enterprises; number of schools adopting conflict resolution programs; and incidence of crime in target communities. U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)

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