Jamaica - IOM is working with the Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to map Jamaica’s diaspora.

Funded by IOM’s Development Fund, the official launch of the project and its website www.mapjadiaspora.iom.int is being held today in Kingston.

Jamaica’s diaspora is among the largest in the world and is estimated to be in excess of three million people.  More than half of Jamaica’s diaspora lies in the United States (approximately 1.8 million), some 650,000 reside in the United Kingdom and an estimated 300,000 in Canada.

During the 18-month project, members of the Jamaican diaspora will be invited to participate in an online survey in order to determine their location, interests, skills, and willingness to contribute to Jamaica’s development. 

The website will also provide members of the diaspora with a platform to express the needs, concerns and any issues they have in their respective locations.  Social media, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have also been set-up to further promote the project and provide regular updates.

Results from the survey will further guide the Government’s engagement of the diaspora and strengthen partnerships ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship between Jamaica and its diaspora.  The government will also be able to determine the availability of skills within the diaspora relevant to specific industries. 

The mapping exercise will support the development of a Logistics Hub which will help to address shortages of relevant local skills by identifying persons with maritime industry, logistics, shipping, and engineering experience. 

The Government also seeks to advance creative industries such as animation and mobile application development. 

IOM expects that the project’s results will lead to a matching of expertise and the skills gaps in Jamaica by identifying members of the diaspora willing to fill these gaps.

The Government of Jamaica has long recognized the benefits of engaging the diaspora, which has been demonstrated through various Government-led initiatives, including the Biennial Diaspora Conference, creation of a Diaspora Advisory Board, and the recently drafted Diaspora Policy.

For more information, please contact

Rukiya Brown
IOM Kingston
Tel. +1876 968 0569
Email: IOMkingston@iom.int