Jamaica seeks lessons from Peru in disaster recovery, resilient reconstruction

As Jamaica sharpens its approach to post-disaster recovery, the South American nation of Peru is emerging as a key model, offering lessons in resilient reconstruction, institutional design, and faster infrastructure delivery.

It is against this backdrop that Works Minister Robert Morgan is leading a nine-member Jamaican government delegation to Peru for high-level talks on infrastructure delivery, reconstruction, resilience, and institutional reform.

The four-day meeting, which ends today, is being staged as the inaugural Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC)–United Kingdom (UK) infrastructure forum, bringing together representatives from several regional countries, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the UK.

Participants examined best practices in infrastructure strategy, planning, governance, financing, and execution, supported by technical exchanges on delivery, reconstruction, and reform.

Morgan said Jamaica’s participation is highly significant, particularly as the country continues recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

The agenda includes meetings with Peru’s National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN) and former leadership of the country’s reconstruction authority, alongside technical sessions focused on governance, planning, resilience, and lessons applicable to Jamaica.

UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT TO TRANSFER BEST PRACTICES

According to conference organisers, the LATAC-UK infrastructure forum represents an unprecedented effort by the UK to transfer best practices across the region. The model combines government technical assistance with the expertise of the British private sector, which has delivered major infrastructure projects in strategic sectors.

The forum is aimed at strengthening strategy, planning, governance, design, financing, and execution across LATAC, with the broader objective of outlining a common roadmap to boost infrastructure investment, reduce service gaps, and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

“Jamaica is in Peru for serious, important discussions at a time when we are actively considering how to strengthen infrastructure delivery, improve coordination across government, and build systems that are more efficient, resilient, and responsive to national needs,” Morgan said.

He emphasised that Peru’s experience in disaster recovery and resilient reconstruction is of particular relevance.

“Our interest is not only in what Peru has done, but how it has done it – how institutions have been structured, how technical support has been used, and how projects have been delivered with urgency while ensuring value for money and high quality. These are matters of direct importance to Jamaica,” he said.

Morgan added that the visit reflects Jamaica’s commitment to learning from credible international models, while shaping solutions suited to its own context.

The delegation is also scheduled to visit sites showcasing resilient infrastructure, including flood protection works.

Representatives from Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Jamaica, Peru, along with officials from the World Bank, the IDB, the UK government, and private-sector groups, are attending the forum.

Lester Hinds