Jamaica accepting fewer than 50 Haitian orphans - Johnson Smith

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith is clarifying that Jamaica will only be accepting a small number of Haitian orphans under the care of a private charity in violence-torn Haiti.

Johnson Smith, while speaking at a post Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday morning, said fewer than 50 of the most severely disabled children who have been abandoned by their families are being allowed into Jamaica.

She said local charity Mustard Seed Communities has been working with the Haitian charity for the past year regarding the care of the children.

She said that the Government has facilitated engagement as much as it can, but noted that the situation is a private charity-to-private charity matter.

She said that the orphanage has been under attack from gangs.

“Gangs have come in and stolen their food and medicines. They have had children die on their way to try to get medical care. It is really one of the most horrific circumstances in which the most vulnerable children have been at greater risk in the circumstances,” said Johnson Smith.

The minister said the Government is exploring ways to legally receive the children for care by Mustard Seed.

“I just really wanted to clarify that because it starts another set of narrative of concerns about movement of people,” she said. 

- Kimone Francis

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