Hurricane Melissa: Guyanese students safe, in constant communication with authorities here

Guyanese students in Jamaica are among those grappling with Hurricane Melissa, but are reportedly safe at the UWI campus in Kingston, and are engaging authorities on their well-being and needs.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a powerful Category Five storm. Heavy winds and flooding continue to affect Jamaica, with the western portion of the island taking the hardest hit.

Guyanese students are in Kingston, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, in the southeastern part of the island. Staff advisor Dr. Samuel Braithewaite, who provides support to the Guyanese students, told the News Room that the halls of residence where the students are housed also serve as hurricane shelters, so the students have been kept out of harm’s way. He also highlighted that the university has its own water and power supplies, necessities in such crises.

Guyanese sprinter and long jumper, Emanuel Archibald shared this video of the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Kingston, Jamaica with the News Room.

Although assured of their safety on campus, Dr. Braithewaite said he and his colleague, Dr. Allison Fung, have been in contact with the Honorary Consul and Guyanese Government officials to ensure support for the students. He said President Dr Irfaan Ali has engaged them directly, pledging support.

“We’re in constant contact with them (the students). They themselves have been trying… and we’ll do an assessment to see how what assistance we should mobilise for them now,” Dr. Braithewaite told the News Room on Wednesday morning.

He added that representatives of the Foreign Affairs Ministry have been in constant communication with many of the Guyanese.

In a statement issued Sunday, it was noted that the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand-Edwards had engaged Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Jamaica, as well as Guyanese students and residents, to ensure their safety and well-being.

It was noted that preparations are being made to provide care packages and emergency assistance if necessary. On Wednesday, both Roopchand-Edwards and the Honorary Consul, Indera Persaud confirmed that the students have been engaged and efforts are being made to provide supplies to them now.

“The President and the PS, and many of the ministers, have reached out to me, and we have been engaging the students. We’ve had discussions on how the Government of Guyana can assist. Certainly, once they need food and supplies, we’ll continue to support them,” Persaud told the News Room.

For Vijay Sharma, the Secretary of the Guyana Students Association in Jamaica, the forthcoming support is welcomed.

“The weather is a lot better now. For a lot of us, anxiety has been a lot (because) it’s not easy being inside for a full week with the rains lashing and the winds have been horrible,” he told the News Room on Wednesday morning.

There have been some leaks and flooded buildings, Sharma said but added that he and his colleagues are physically well. Supplies from the government, he said, will be much-needed now.

“Our government will share some care packages hopefully because we really do need it, we can’t go anywhere,” Sharma said.

Guyana has also pledged support to Jamaica as it seeks to recover from the hurricane. On Wednesday morning, President Ali said he has been in contact with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and will provide support as needed.

Editor’s note: This article initially stated that Harvey Sharma was the President of the Guyana Students’ Association in Jamaica. His designation has been updated.