Some Guyanese students with the means to do so left Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Melissa’s expected landfall. Others are hunkered down and trying to remain safe.
According to reports out of a section of the Guyanese community, two university lecturers are serving as mentors and guiding them with regard to their well-being and safety.
Guyanese students in Jamaica remain in contact with Guyana’s consulate on the island. There was an allegation that since the Guyana government had not officially sent them to Jamaica they would need to make their own arrangements to evacuate or seek shelter. The Guyana Consulate in Jamaica in unaware of any such declaration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana indicated that it is standing by to assist.
The government of St. Kitts and Nevis chartered a flight to evacuate 27 students from Kingston on Sunday evening, while students from Antigua and Barbuda were provided shelter at the Pegasus Hotel.
Hurricane Melissa continues to approach Jamaica as a Category 5 storm.