Lock, Stock and Barrel: Jamaica takes on illicit arms and weapons

As the third-largest island in the Caribbean, with a population of 2.73 million, Jamaica faces the stark reality of high crime rates. Firearms, arriving through official and unofficial channels, play a pivotal role in fuelling organized crime, contributing to homicides and violence concentrated in urban and rural areas. Indeed, on average nearly 80 per cent of all homicides in the country have involved the use of a firearm.

Vision 2030 Jamaica, the National Development Plan, underscores the profound impact of crime and violence on the country’s development and its impact on citizen safety and security. Recognizing the complexity of this issue, spearheaded by the United Nations, the Joint Programme on reducing small arms & light weapons in Jamaica, under the umbrella of the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Fund, stands as a shining example of coordinated action and support for the island nation pooling in various actors and expertise to address both the supply and demand sides of the problem.

Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the programme leverages the strengths and expertise of four key UN entities: the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Working to deliver as one, the UN Country Team has synchronized efforts to channel investments towards addressing the scourge of illicit small arms and the SDGs and national priorities, more broadly.

Empowering Jamaica for a Safer Tomorrow

Through the Programme’s targeted capacity-building sessions, law enforcement officials at the nation’s maritime and seaports, airport authorities and customs agents now boast of improved detection capabilities. The Programme is also providing legal advice and legislative support in the development of a new Firearms Bill, a  legislative framework governing small arms reduction.

Further, it has also facilitated meaningful research by launching the first Violence Audit conducted in Jamaica. The Audit is the first time a clear baseline has been established on the use of small arms and light weapons in volatile communities. Moreover, the inter-agency technical working group, an innovative component of the programme, has fostered increased collaboration and information sharing, ensuring a comprehensive and people-centered approach to tackling violence.

The Programme has also worked closely with educators and youth to foster firearm free and peaceful school communities. Engaging closely with the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Programme has led to the establishment of clear guidelines on reducing the presence of firearms in schools, opening channels of communications to various breaches and recording incidents of use. For vulnerable youth, the Programme has been instrumental in setting up “Youth For Peace Clubs” that are helping inculcate peaceful conflict mediation skills, manage their social and emotional behaviours and tackle gender stereotypes to bring about change.

One teacher, participating in the training, commented, "I really appreciated all that was shared about peace. My main take away is that peace is more than just a word but an active tool to effect positive change in all our lives and improve the quality of our lives. What I will do now is to promote peace in all my classes and guide my students to peaceful resolutions for their conflicts.”

Reflecting on how interpersonal conflicts would earlier escalate into fights and the change since the Programme’s intervention, two youth participants to the training said, “I learned the difference between conflict and violence. I want to use my learnings to change the school. I want to be a change maker. I want to create a Youth For Peace Club at my school.”

Beyond Borders: Impact and Expansion

The impact of the SALIENT Joint Programme reverberates beyond Jamaica's shores. There are undoubtedly lessons learnt which can be applied to programmes safety and security across the region. Recognizing the success achieved, there is optimism for additional funding in 2024 to scale up its efforts in Jamaica and in other countries (Cameroon, South Sudan) and expand the programme, underscoring its sustainability and potential for further positive change. The Programme is also expected to be replicated in Ghana, Honduras, Panama, Kyrgyzstan and Papua New Guinea.

A Unified Vision for a Safer World

In a world often marred by disparate efforts, this initiative stands as a testament to what can be achieved when UN entities, governments, and communities unite with a common purpose. The SALIENT Joint Programme, embedded within the Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSCDCF) 2022-2026, dovetails seamlessly with Jamaica's national priorities.

In reducing small arms and light weapons, we not only secure the tangible safety of nations but also pave the way for sustainable development and the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, health improvement, quality education, gender equality, decent work, and peace leaving no one behind.

The ‘SALIENT’ Joint Programme continues to grow thanks to the generous support of the Governments of Sweden, Japan, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, France, New Zealand. For more information about the UN’s work in Jamaica, visit Jamaica.un.org.