The Youth Advisory Group (YAG) marks a significant step in the organization’s efforts to amplify youth leadership and engagement in sustainable development processes and programmes. This initiative aligns with the global UN Youth Strategy, Youth2030, which emphasizes the importance of meaningful youth participation in all areas of the UN's work.The establishment of the YAG is a key component of UN Jamaica's comprehensive Youth Engagement Action Plan (YEAP). This plan, designed to bolster youth involvement across all pillars of the UN's work in Jamaica, is closely aligned with the timeline of the United Nations' current Cooperation Framework.The Youth Advisory Group aims to provide young leaders in Jamaica with another platform to play an active and leading role in the country's sustainable development, working in close collaboration with the UN. Members of the YAG will gain valuable insights into UN programmes both globally and locally, while also offering recommendations to UN leadership on how these programmes can better serve the youth of Jamaica."We believe that the voices of young people are crucial in shaping the future of Jamaica," said Dennis Zulu UN Resident Coordinator. "The Youth Advisory Group is an opportunity for youth leaders to directly influence the UN's work in the country, ensuring that our programmes are inclusive, relevant, and effective."Membership in the YAG will consist of active national youth representatives and emerging leaders who are committed to serving their communities. In line with the UN's mandate to "Leave No One Behind" (LNOB), the YAG will be both participatory and inclusive, representing the diverse voices and experiences of Jamaican youth.The YAG is expected to further strengthen the UN's engagement with young people in Jamaica, fostering a generation of leaders who are equipped to drive the nation's development forward sustainably and equitably. The initiative underscores the United Nations' ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and its recognition of young people as key partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Jamaica and beyond.“We recognise that we are borrowing this planet from young people, and we have a responsibility to leave it in good condition. This YAG ensures that Jamaica’s young people are not just in the front passenger seat, but are driving us towards resilient and sustainable development,” Zulu said.Photos from the Youth Dialogue Access the Terms of Reference HereAPPLY HERE

While many people were preparing their homes and getting their families ready for Hurricane Beryl, 65-year-old Inez Williams, a resident of Clarendon, was busy preparing the Portland Cottage Primary School as a shelter in her community just in case children and their families needed a place of refuge. Portland Cottage is one of the communities severely affected by Hurricane Beryl, the category 4 hurricane which devastated mainly the southern and eastern parts of the island.Married for 31 years and a mother of nine children ranging from 26 to 47 years old, Ms. Inez, as she is affectionately called, has seen her fair share of hurricanes. After witnessing firsthand, the trauma that occurrences like these can cause, her desire was to contribute in some way, despite being affected herself.When Ms Inez spoke with UNICEF Representative, Olga Isaza, her enthusiasm for volunteerism and lending a helping hand shone brightly. “Once there are people in the shelter, it will remain open,” she said.Sean PryceHundreds turn out to collect relief supplies at the Portland Cottage Primary School in Clarendon. In total 3,600 hygiene kits will be distributed to severely affected communities. UNICEF’s response is part of a larger effort to ensure that 11,000 children are supported in the aftermath of the hurricane through cash transfers, child friendly spaces and other initiatives.I love to help people and love to see them happy. During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, I saw many people who were devastated, who lost their family members and homes, and even though I was not trained for that purpose, I decided to take up the challenge. When the call came out for training of Shelter Managers, I took it on, along with the training in First Aid. I have had several trainings with ODPEM, Red Cross and other agencies.Ms Inez, Shelter ManagerHaving served as a trained Shelter Manager for the past 20 years, some of Ms. Inez’s responsibilities include working with her team members to get the shelter prepared and open, once there is a warning, and ensuring that community members have all they need to stay safe before, during and after a hurricane.Hurricane DeanIn 2007 when Hurricane Dean affected the island, Ms. Inez was at the shelter helping to care for those who sought comfort, and it was not until a day after she realized that her home and all her furniture were completely gone. Even after a part of her house was rebuilt, she stayed at the shelter for two weeks, until everyone left.Hurricane BerylWhen the warning was issued on July 2 by the Government of Jamaica for Hurricane Beryl, Ms. Inez knew she needed to jump into action. She and another shelter manager cleaned the Portland Cottage Primary school and started registering those who came in. In all, they cared for 80 people including 37 children. The children were engaged in indoor games and stories to help keep them distracted from the storm that raged around them. Even the shelter was affected as the roof of one of the sections was damaged and Ms Inez had to relocate some of the people to another area of the shelter.  For me, what stood out was how fearful the people were. They were very frightened especially about what they could lose due to the hurricane. As shelter manager, I tried to encourage them and prayed with and for them, reminding them that God is in control and that there is hope.Ms InezAfter the hurricane, more people arrived at the shelter, as some of them lost their roofs. Ms. Inez’s own home was not spared, as the capping of the roof went with the strong winds and water came in and destroyed some of her household items. Even then, she still didn’t leave the shelter until everyone left. Her family helped repair the leaking areas of her home while she was at the shelter.Days after the hurricane passed, many families returned home, with one person remaining at the shelter for up to a week. The shelter continues to be a space of solace as many community members come back to collect hot meals served by overseas volunteers.  Donna-Marie RoweMany buildings lost their roofs during Hurricane Beryl, which lashed coastal communities in Clarendon, St Catherine, and St Elizabeth with category four rain and winds.She also rallied the help of other community members to help those most vulnerable. There was an elderly woman and her senior daughter who wanted to return home but couldn’t because part of their roof was gone. Ms. Inez called some men from the community to help to repair the roof, and they went as far as May Pen to get the necessary supplies. “I’ll never forget how grateful the elderly lady was when she called to thank me for getting the men to fix their roof so they could return home.”Ms. Inez has never regretted her decision to become a shelter manager, even though it comes with its own set of challenges. “A day in the life of a shelter manager may look good to those who may be watching, but I can assure you that it's tough. But when you really care for the lives of others, you put yourself in front and be the mother hen facing the danger,” she explained.For those thinking of becoming a shelter manager, Ms. Inez has some advice: “It's not about money but it's about loving and caring for others. Go out there and do it and when all is said and done, you will be fulfilled.”Despite her own home and family being affected by hurricanes each time, Ms. Inez will not let this deter her from volunteering and helping others. “l will do it again and again because somebody has to do it,” she reasoned. Sean PryceMs. Inez has never regretted her decision to become a shelter manager, even though it comes with its own set of challenges.About this blogUNICEF's response to the plight of children and their families in the aftermath of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl includes ensuring that 11,000 children are supported through child friendly spaces, water points, and other initiatives including monetary support for families with children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women and people with disabilities. Relief supplies continue to be distributed to the most affected areas while child protection, water, hygiene and sanitation are among the key focus areas for UNICEF. Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Children are among the most vulnerable that have been affected by Hurricane Beryl. In all 3,600 kits will be distributed to the most affected communities and 11,000 children will be supported through water points, child friendly spaces among other initiatives including monetary support for families with children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women and people with disabilities.Maliek Wallace, 7, hugs his mother, Kristina Cephas, after they received supplies and a UNICEF hygiene kit in Lionel Town, Clarendon. UNICEF donated 300 hygiene kits to the communities of Lionel Town, Rocky Point and Portland Cottage on Tuesday July 30. In total 3,600 hygiene kits will be distributed.Children and families are benefitting from relief supplies.UNICEF is on the ground supporting the most affected children. The hygiene kits consist of toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, bar soaps, rags, handwashing soap, sanitary napkins, flashlight and mosquito repellent. Water points will be established as well as child friendly spaces as part of UNICEF's response.UNICEF works with partners to ensure that the affected communities are servedUNICEF is listening to the voices of children who have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl. From left to right, Little Cherish has the attention of Rebecca Tortello, UNICEF Education Specialist and Olga Isaza UNICEF Representative at one of the distribution centers.Children wait in line for their parents and guardians to collect the relief supplies. 

Sean PryceThis little boy is overcome with happiness after receiving the packages from UNICEFKINGSTON, 02 August 2024 – Children and their families in Clarendon turned out in their numbers to collect hygiene kits from UNICEF on Tuesday July 30.Hundreds of people from Rocky Point, Portland Cottage and Lionel Town benefitted from the collaborative effort of the teams from UNICEF and Food for the Poor (FFP) who journeyed to support the communities that have been left reeling from the effects of Beryl. The category 4 hurricane lashed these coastal areas on July 3. Many homes are still without roofs and people’s livelihoods have been destroyed as many are farmers and fisher folk.The distribution mission is one of many that have taken place shortly after the hurricane. During this visit, UNICEF donated 300 hygiene kits. The kits, packaged in a bucket, contained items such as laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath soaps, rags, sanitary napkins, mosquito repellent and liquid anti-bacterial handwash.“UNICEF knows that children and their families are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and our focus is on ensuring that they are receiving support in the areas of sanitation and hygiene, which is crucial at this time when their water supply and electricity are affected.This donation, is part of an ongoing support that UNICEF is providing to the most affected children and their families in these communities.”Olga Isaza, UNICEF RepresentativeSean PryceLittle Rushana, who is called 'Cherish' by her family, holds the attention of Olga Isaza, UNICEF Representative during the distribution mission in Lionel Town as she expressed how happy she was to receive the relief supplies. A curious little girl, Cherish, hurried to call her grandmother when she saw the crowd gathering.In all 3,600 kits will be distributed to the most affected communities and some 11,000 children will be supported through water points, child friendly spaces among other initiatives including monetary support for families with children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women and people with disabilities.In her appeal on behalf of children, Ms Isaza is urging communities to protect children from abuse and ill-treatment and to be extra watchful of their well-being.