The disaster risk reduction efforts of the Jeffrey Town Farmers' Association (JTFA) in Jamaica has received a much needed boost from the Caribbean Development Bank's (CDB) Community Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (CDRRF). Financed by a grant award of USD644,744, the JTFA is in the initial phase of rolling out its plans to address some of the challenges due to the impacts of climate change and poverty, faced by approximately 3,000 residents from the nine beneficiary communities. In promoting the agenda for self-sufficiency, the Project has designed initiatives that will result in the community having access to climate resilient infrastructure and crop production techniques. "With a focus on drought-tolerant crops, roots and tubers accompanied by adjustments in planting season, we expect to improve livelihoods and food security. The availability of crops with extended shelf-life and commercial value, will bolster our agro-processing capacities. In addition to strengthening food security, we will be able to improve our livelihood opportunities," said Wordsworth Gordon, President of the JTFA. Slated infrastructure activities include land management techniques including the Construction of gabion walls and drainage to reduce soil erosion; solar powered catchment tanks for the storage and distribution of potable water; and the retrofitting of the Wallingford Hurricane Shelter. These will be supported by agricultural and income generating undertakings such as the procurement of a mill for the processing of flour. During a recent Project Implementation (PIP) workshop hosted by the CDB, Geoarchaeology researcher, Dr. Sherene James-Williamson advanced the need for the Project, outlining some of the peculiar vulnerabilities of the Jeffrey Town community which pose a risk to life, property and livelihoods. She noted that the geological make-up of the area made it particularly prone to multi-directional earth movements, landslides, earthquakes, flooding and droughts among other climatic impacts, which can be devastating for a community heavily dependent on its natural resources and farming. CAPTION: Dr. Sherene James-Williamson demonstrates earth fault formations to workshop participants During the PIP, the JTFA and project partners also reviewed the previously submitted Project Application Document (PAD) to ensure relevance of planned activities to the community needs. Participants were further exposed to project management principles, legal and regulatory guidelines, procurement planning and policy, as well as the tools for incorporating results-based and knowledge management. CAPTION: JTFA members and partners work on their Logic Model Framework under the guidance of CDB's Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Rolene Guilland (standing) The Jeffrey Town Integrated Disaster Risk Management Project is a two-year initiative funded through CDB's CDRRF by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) of Canada and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID). Implementation support has been received from both Government and non-governmental organisations operating in the parish of St. Mary. Among them are JAREEACH, St. Mary Parish Council, National Works Agency and the Social Development Commission, as well as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. CAPTION: Interim Project Manager, CDRRF, CDB, McDonald Thomas (standing, centre) engages participants