BROOKLYN, NY– Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says that 23 Jamaican students in Ukraine have arrived safely by train in Lviv and are set to be in Poland as the Government of Jamaica fully funds their return to the island.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Saturday, Johnson Smith said that the Andrew Holness-led administration has been working feverishly in the aftermath of the escalation of violence in the Eastern European nation.
Johnson Smith announced that the Government had been fully engaged with the students and their parents. In challenging circumstances, the Minister said that the Government managed to make arrangements for all the students to get to Poland, where further appointments will be made to return to Jamaica.
She said the Government would underwrite all the costs for the students’ transportation and accommodation until they arrive in Jamaica and there is no loan involved.
The Foreign Affairs Minister added that Jamaica is working with contacts in Ukraine and Poland to ensure that all the arrangements appropriate to the circumstances are made. The movement of cash is complex at this time.
She also said that the Charge d’Affaires of the Jamaican Embassy in Berlin, Deniese Sealey, has been dispatched to Poland and will receive the students upon their arrival.
“She will be working with friends of Jamaica and members of the Jamaican community [as well as] the Honorary Consul of Jamaica to Poland to receive our nationals on their arrival. She will provide general support to the process, including settling arrangements made for their accommodation and subsistence,” she said.
“The Jamaica Tourist Board in Germany is already engaged in finalizing arrangements for air travel from Poland, through Frankfurt and on to Montego Bay, as soon as circumstances allow,” the Minister stated.
Johnson Smith stated that three of the students on the train to L’viv did not disembark.
“Our understanding is that their parents advised them to remain on the train, but we are seeking to procure further information about their arrangements, including their final destination,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Johnson-Smith commended the decision of Poland and other European countries to temporarily lift Covid-19 restrictions for immigration requirements in anticipation of the movement of persons.
“It is understood that the areas are crowded, long lines, and cold conditions. Many are making this journey on foot, so challenges abound. We will continue to need your prayers for [our] nationals.” she stated.
The city of L’viv is two hours away from the Polish border, and according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the students’ names have been given to the guards for their entry into the country.
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