Jamaica: Over 3000 people get birth certificates

Over 3,000 Jamaicans would benefit from assistance to access birth certificates under a partnership between the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

The support comes under the Integrated Community Development Project – 11 (ICDP – 11), implemented by JSIF by the funding provided by the World Bank.

Around 6,000 undocumented Jamaicans acquired their birth certificates under phase one of this programme after it started in 2017.

Seven communities are selected for assistance under the new phase.

These countries are August Town, Treadlight in Clarendon; Greenwich Town and Denham Town in St. Andrew, Salt Spring and Anchovy in St. James; and another community not yet revealed.

JSIF allocated $12 million for the undertaking, and $6.4 million out of this is to be paid directly to the RGD, and the remainder would be used to finance key components of the project.

These key components include community fairs, the establishment of contact points in and social survey in these communities.

Orville Hill, General Manager for Finance at JSIF, said that the programme allowed the agency to see the importance of having a birth certificate.

He noted that the happiness in the eyes of people who lived undocumented for many years and unable to access basic amenities when they have the document in their hands is a reason enough for them to continue this very project.

Hill said this while speaking at the signing ceremony at JSIF’s location in Kingston on Wednesday.

CEO and Deputy Keeper of Records, RGD, Charlton McFarlane said that it is important to have a birth certificate.

He said that the document opens social and economic mobility for the persons and enables them to access jobs, educational opportunities and social support.

The ICDP aims to promote transformation and public safety through the delivery of social services and basic infrastructure within 18 communities across seven parishes in Jamaica. These are Clarendon, St Andrew, St Ann, Kingston, St. James, St. Catherine and Westmoreland.