BASSETERRE: The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has successfully evacuated 27 students from Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa continues to intensify, with a chartered flight departing Kingston Saturday evening bound for Turks and Caicos before arriving home Sunday.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew said the swift action reflects the government’s fervent commitment to the safety and well-being of all nationals abroad.
The Prime Minister’s Office coordinated the evacuation through direct engagement with Jamaican authorities, airlines, and student representatives, implementing the evacuation option that had been identified as the primary safety measure.
Students who chose to remain in Jamaica have been accommodated at a designated hotel meeting safety and emergency standards. This arrangement was coordinated with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Student Association (SKNSA). UWI has confirmed official shelters remain available should further precautions become necessary.
The government continues monitoring the situation closely in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, maintaining active communication with regional partners and CARICOM institutions.
Nationals in affected territories are advised to remain alert, follow local authority guidance, and maintain embassy communication.
For assistance, nationals may contact:
- Ms. Karyl Woods, President, St. Kitts-Nevis Student Association: +1 (876) 226-0052
- Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Cuba, Ambassador H.E. Verna Mills: +53 7 204 6786