Relocated Haitians were told to use new shower stalls at facility – Ministry

Reacting to concerns about the condition of the facilities to which Haitian migrants were recently relocated, the Ministry of National Security has indicated that the group of 37 individuals was instructed to use newly erected shower stalls at the back of the building.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry said, “On Monday, June 10, 2024, the Ministry of National Security, in collaboration with other ministries, departments and agencies, conducted a successful relocation exercise of the Haitian migrants to a new location. The relocation was necessary to return the property donated for short-term use by the Northeastern Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The ministry stressed that an unkept bathroom at the facility, highlighted by The Gleaner on Monday, is not in the occupied section assigned to the group.

“The group was instructed to use the newly erected shower stalls at the back of the building. Hence, the bathroom was not prepared for use as part of the occupied section,” the ministry stated. “The ministry wishes to reiterate that the Government of Jamaica, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, continues to work with regional and international partners towards a more sustainable response to the social and political challenges being faced by Haiti.

“The Ministry of National Security continues to monitor the situation in Haiti and will provide periodic updates to the public.”

The group of 37 Haitian migrants arrived in Jamaica illegally on July 10, 2023, and are currently in state care.