Haitians face deportation following charges for illegal entry into Jamaica

A group of 29 Haitians who recently landed in Jamaica are facing deportation to their homeland after Jamaican authorities charged them with illegal entry. The group, consisting of 24 men and five women, received fines amounting to $7,000 or an alternative sentence of three days of hard labor each

They appeared before the Portland Parish Court on Tuesday The 29 individuals were part of a larger group of 37 who reached Boston Beach in Portland at around 1:40 p m on July 10

According to reports, it is believed that they initiated their journey from Jeremie, Haiti, roughly two weeks prior Residents allegedly noticed a vessel transporting the group close to the beach, subsequently assisting them to land

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged the EU states to seriously consider offering financial assistance to Haiti

He was speaking at the EU-Caribbean Leaders Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on Monday His call comes in response to the Haitian crises of humanitarian and security nature that require immediate attention

Holness, during his address, highlighted the compounding issues troubling the

Haitian populace He pointed to the recent adversities like the earthquake and flooding, combined with the persisting political and economic turmoil that have further burdened the Haitian citizens

He further noted that women and girls are more vulnerable to gang violence and that there has been an escalating sense of insecurity

Drawing attention to the financial needs of the 2023 UN Humanitarian Response Plan, Holness revealed its aim to amass US$720 million to assist roughly three million Haitians

These citizens have been victims of extreme gang violence, are battling hunger, and are living amidst a cholera outbreak However, Holness pointed out the glaring shortfall in funding; currently, the plan has only been able to garner 23 percent of the required amount

In his discourse with EU leaders, Holness expressed gratitude for the technical and financial support that the EU and individual countries within the union have rendered He also expressed appreciation for their efforts, especially considering Europe’s own struggle against the harsh impacts of war

Furthermore, he underscored the urgent need for financial resources, training, and equipment to bolster the Haitian National Police’s efforts in curbing the worsening security situation

Along similar lines, he emphasized the requirement of additional funds for the UN Basket Fund, a body constituted specifically for this objective