By Garwin Davis/Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writers
An Haitian girl shortly after she arrived in Manchoniel, Portland yesterday.
An Haitian girl shortly after she arrived in Manchoniel, Portland yesterday.
THE WORSENING Haitian crisis has left Jamaica burdened with an increasing number of refugees from the neighbouring Caribbean island, with an additional 32 landing in Manchioneal, Portland yesterday.
There were unconfirmed reports last night that two more boats carrying Haitian refugees were spotted by a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter just off the coast of Manchioneal.
"Thirty-two Haitians were escorted to shore by local fishermen about 10:30 a.m.," confirmed Inspector Desroy Livingstone from the Manchioneal Police Station.
MAJOR CRISIS
"We have reports that there are an additional two boats out there at sea, a situation we are monitoring closely," he said.
Describing the situation as a 'major crisis on our hands', Mr. Livingstone explained that police personnel from stations across the parish were being dispatched to assist with the refugee situation. "The police in Portland are currently on high alert," he said.
Reports are that the latest arrivals, a group of 17 men, eight women and seven children, including two infants - fled Haiti five days ago with their sights set on reaching the coastline of Florida. Their 18-foot boat however drifted into Jamaican waters where they were spotted by local fishermen.
"I was on the road very early this morning when I saw the boat being escorted in," said Winston Gordon, an eyewitness. "It was amazing how so many people were seated in that small boat and out there at sea for so long. They were laughing and shouting, clearly happy to have been rescued."
Winsome Adams, an orange vendor, said she too saw the boat being pulled to shore by the local fishermen and immediately knew that it contained another group of Haitian refugees.
"When I saw what was happening, I just started to pack some bags with food and anything I could find to assist," she said. "They are our brothers and sisters and we should do everything we can for them."
When The Gleaner arrived on the scene, a number of local residents could be seen bringing in food stuff and clothing for the refugees.
The latest group brings to 62 the number of Haitian refugees to have arrived in Jamaica from their war-torn country over the past two weeks. They have all landed in Portland, putting added pressure on a parish that is already stretched for resources.
"It is not an easy job we are doing but we have to do all we can," reasoned Major Selburne Oates of the Salvation Army in the parish.
"Yes we are hard pressed for resources. We have to dig very deep to meet this crisis but it is an obligation that we have to honour. It could have been a case where it was our countrymen seeking asylum in another country. We would have hoped for the same kind of treatment."
VERY PROUD
Major Oates noted that he was very proud of the job that was being done by the local volunteer groups.
"Our day begins every morning at say 5:00 a.m. and many of the volunteers, at the expense of their own families, are not home until late in the evenings," he noted.
He said the situation was even more gratifying with the Haitians showing a lot of gratitude.
An interview with a number of the refugees who had arrived earlier confirmed the point. "We love the treatment," one of the refugees who gave his name as Edson told The Gleaner. "We prayed before we leave to go to somewhere peaceful and this is what we have found in Jamaica. The Jamaicans here are very nice people, we are very grateful."
But while the situation seems under control, the Portland police are warning that their resources could soon be coming under pressure.
"We could soon be stretching very thin, especially if there are more refugees to come," said Superintendent Anthony Davis.
"We must remember that we also have to do our everyday policing. We must at all times have manpower available."
