Fleeing Haitians land in Portland

Boston Beach, Portland:

Claiming they were fleeing hunger, civil unrest, and economic hardships, 37 Haitians, including eight children, who landed at the Boston beach in Portland, yesterday, told a harrowing tale of their desperate journey in search of a better life.

The Haitians, who were screened by representatives of the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and who spoke very little English, claimed to have left Jamerie in their homeland in the dead of night on June 26 with Miami, Florida in the United States their intended destination. However, poor navigation and choppy seas resulted in them landing in Jamaica about 1:40 p.m. yesterday, just a day after the Boston Jerk Festival was held at the Boston beach.

“A small sail boat with 37 Haitian nationals sailed on to the Boston beach,” said Superintendent Lloyd Darby, commanding officer for the Portland Police Division. “The group comprises of 24 adult males, five adult females, five girls, and three boys. Information is that they have been travelling from Jamerie in Haiti and they have been travelling for some days now. Interestingly, this [trip] brings eight other Haitians since 2023 that have been found in the parish in different circumstances. Some have been charged and brought before the courts, and some have been sent back to Haiti,” Darby added.

According to Darby, the police will be looking into the circumstances, which may have led to the Haitians turning up on Jamaica’s shore at this time. He pointed out that all the relevant agencies, including Red Cross, the Portland Municipal Corporation, and the Ministry of Health, have been contacted and that all that is necessary will be done through a multi-agency approach.

The French-speaking Caribbean country has been affected by civil unrest and killings as a result of warring factions and various gangs, who have resorted to looting, shooting, abduction, rape, and murder, which have been affecting the lives of ordinary residents – creating mayhem and anarchy in that country.

Just last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the United Nations (UN) on behalf of CARICOM, called for more to be done to assist with the crisis in Haiti, while arguing that it was the duty of the regional bloc to provide hope to those suffering in that country.

“While we all express solidarity, it is meaningless without urgent action,” Holness had said as he addressed UN Security Council Meeting on Haiti on July 6.

“Let us help our brothers and sisters in Haiti to finally achieve the peace, stability, and prosperity that they deserve. Peace, stability, and prosperity are not mere aspirations of the Haitian people, but are their inherent rights. The international community must continue to do their part in assisting the people of Haiti as they endeavour to find a lasting solution.”

The Haitian boat people, who landed at Boston, were reportedly severely dehydrated and hungry, but were given two cases of drinking water, two cases of Coco-Cola, bread and corned beef by people from the community who turned up on the beach after hearing of their arrival.

So far, at least two of the Haitians, who spoke very little English language, said that back in their homeland they were unable to find jobs, were without food and drinking water, and that there is no real hope or future for anyone as their country is overrun by criminals and gunmen.