ECYS Minister confirms St. Maarten students in Jamaica are safe after passing of hurricane

GREAT BAY--The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), Melissa Gumbs, has confirmed that the two St. Maarten students currently studying in Jamaica are safe following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Minister Gumbs expresses her deepest solidarity with the people of Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, who continue to suffer from the ongoing impact of the hurricane. The Minister notes that St. Maarten understands their situation all too well, having endured similar devastation in the past.

The Ministry of ECYS, through its Division of Study Financing, remains in contact with both students, one of whom is sheltering in Clarendon and the other in Kingston. One of the students is also an athlete, and the Ministry is coordinating updates with the relevant athletic association.

Communication with the students has been consistent, although intermittent due to connectivity challenges in Jamaica. Both students have confirmed they are safe and have secure shelter. The Ministry also maintains their full contact details, passport information, and locations.

The Minister confirms that her Ministry is working closely with the Jamaican Consulate through DBB (St. Maarten Foreign Affairs Department) to coordinate possible evacuation options once conditions allow.

The Minister also encourages the public to support local efforts to assist affected countries. “Persons who wish to help are encouraged to reach out to local organizations that may be organizing relief drives for Jamaica and other islands impacted by Hurricane Melissa, including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands,” the Minister said.

"I received many requests for an update on them and I spoke to both this morning. They are safe. I'm very thankful for that. But of course, my heart breaks for the people of Jamaica who have been deeply impacted by this storm. And it's a powerful and a constant reminder again that we are dealing with a new reality when it comes to climate change. And I would like to remind the population that hurricane season is not yet over. We still have a month ago. Until we can say that everyone Is, at least for the most part, safe and sound," the Minister said

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