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‘No, thanks’ say J’can students to GOJ loan offer to get out Ukraine

LoopNews

February 23, 2022 11:56 PM ET

3 mins read

Jamaican students privately studying in now war-threatened Ukraine have rejected the Jamaican Government’s offer of assistance through loans to facilitate their return to the island in the face of seemingly imminent, all-out warfare between Ukraine and neighbouring Russia.

In a release on Wednesday, Jamaican Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, “the Government of Jamaica had made a special offer to assist (the) Jamaican students seeking to return home, and (but) that ultimately, no student had utilised it.”

In elaborating, Johnson Smith said: “On 12th February 2022, our offer of assistance was communicated to the students by our embassy in Berlin, in the form of a loan for airfare to Jamaica, whereby the Government would book and pay for the tickets for their return to Jamaica. Although seven students had requested assistance, ultimately they decided not to go this route.”

She added that, “The seven Jamaican students who had indicated their interest in accepting an offer of support from us to purchase tickets for their return home, decided against returning to Jamaica.

“We understand that while some students are making private arrangements to travel to other cities in the region until the situation in Ukraine improves, others are still cautiously monitoring the situation.

“We are aware of eight students who have left thus far, with an additional five travelling from Ukraine over the course of this week.”

Johnson Smith also advised further: “We note the cancellation of flights between Ukraine and Germany, which increases the complexity of travel, should students still choose to return to Jamaica.

“We have shared the options available to them, for example through Turkey, and have highlighted our concern that travel may become even more challenging as events unfold, and would even become impossible should Ukraine’s airspace be closed entirely.

“Our message to them has been that they need to take immediate action if they intend to leave,” stated Johnson Smith.

She said the Jamaican Government of Jamaica remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will yield a de-escalation of tensions in Ukraine, but notes with concern the intensification of tensions in the region.

The release added that the Foreign Ministry remains “actively engaged with the students, as well as with their family members in Jamaica,” and indicated that it can be contacted via email at consular@mfaft.gov.jm, or at consularassist@mfaft.gov.jm, or via WhatsApp at 876-469-4058.