JAMAICA | 26 Jamaican students trapped in Ukraine, says Foreign Ministry

KINGSTON,  Jamaica February 24, 2022 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says that the Government of Jamaica continues to assist Jamaican students in Ukraine and their families, where possible, following Russia's invasion of that country.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the ministry said 15 students have left Ukraine, while 26 students remain in the country - 25 of whom are located in Kharkiv and one student in L'viv. Two students have not provided information on their location.

Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith expressed concern about the students' safety and welfare, noting that "conditions have deteriorated swiftly overnight" and "there are no flights out of Ukraine nor is it possible (or recommended) to travel overland".

She urged the students to follow their university's emergency procedures, including any recommended location(s) for evacuation. The release said the embassy will stay in contact with the students by WhatsApp and email.;

In the meantime, the mother of a Jamaican medical student trapped in the Ukraine says she is extremely concerned as her only daughter remains trapped amid the Russian invasion.

She told Dionne Jackson-Miller on Radio Jamaica that she is trying to be strong for her daughter as they try to figure out a way to get her home.

"When a child look to you and say I want to go home, the time has come. I don't even let my child know I cry.... She know I might be a little fussy but I try to just shun certain things from her 'cause I want to give her the confidence to know that there's a true God and he will lead her through," said the distraught mother.

"I'm a proud mommy, you know. Is only God know from where I'm coming from with her. And even sometimes she would look at me...and she said, 'Mom, why you think I'm doing this? I'm doing this just to take you out of certain situations.'"

According to the woman, her daughter decided to attend school in Ukraine because they were unable to afford medical school in Jamaica. However, she said they were unaware of the tensions with Russia.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it is ready to assist in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and is asking neighbouring counties to keep borders open to those who are seeking safety.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, the organisation expressed grave concern about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military actions in Ukraine. It said there are reports of casualties, and people starting to flee to seek safety.

The UNHCR tweeted that civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times.