Listen to this story
|
Two Jamaican students have fallen ill after being forced to embark on a 20-kilometer journey from L’viv, Ukraine, to Poland—on foot.
According to The Jamaican Gleaner, twenty-four students were forced to walk to Poland after the bus transporting them to the Polish border was blocked by protestors.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith announced that one of the students received medical care in an ambulance. On Thursday, the foreign affairs and trade ministry reported that 27 students were still in the country while 15 had already fled.
Twenty-four Jamaican students who yesterday arrived in L'viv, Ukraine from Kharkiv by train are now forced to walk 20 kilometres to Poland. Foreign Affairs Minister @kaminajsmith says the bus that was carrying the students to Poland was blocked by angry people. More details soon. pic.twitter.com/FANH1bwgWB
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) February 27, 2022
Ukrainian residents are fleeing in the thousands after Russia invaded the country last week. Social media were shocked to see images of African residents being blocked from boarding trains feeling Ukraine, to make space for their white counterparts to escape to safety first.
Africans being refused entry into a train taking people from Ukraine to Poland.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) February 27, 2022
Africans were forced to wait for Ukrainians to go first in several trains, and had to wait until all Ukrainians had boarded trains before they would be allowed to get into one pic.twitter.com/BQ4klYQv1U
President Vladimir Putin summoned Russian nuclear deterrent forces to be put on alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by NATO leaders, sparking fear of a looming nuclear war.
On Thursday, the Jamaican government shot down claims that it had abandoned citizens studying in Ukraine.
Robert Morgan, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for information, offered assurances to the country during a media briefing.
Morgan announced that seven Jamaican students were scheduled to leave Ukraine on Tuesday, with two scheduled to fly out Thursday.
If you’re wondering why some of the students would even leave Jamaica to study in Ukraine. Jamaica expensive. pic.twitter.com/6N4Q218Z73
— YT: ChrissyCares✨ (@melanin_mind) February 24, 2022
“We can also confirm that we have tried to facilitate as much as possible, the interest of the students in the Ukraine but we have also faced challenges,” said Morgan. “While our staff, and the foreign service, have been making efforts, the reality is that we have not been able to contact all of them. We have reached out [and] while some have responded, some have not.
He added, “The public should remember that at the last [post-Cabinet] briefing we mentioned that the students would be able to transit through Germany without the need for a Schengen visa if they are transiting within a 24-hour period.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness condemned the attacks:
“Jamaica is consistent in its support for the universal respect and adherence to the principles of international law the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.” He continued, “We, therefore, cannot support, and in fact, we condemn the invasion of Ukraine.”
#UPDATE8 All our students have finally crossed into Poland and are now comfortably on their way to Krakow! They were met by friends of 🇯🇲 and their immediate needs addressed. Giving thanks for their strength and courage and for a great team on the ground. Prayers still up 🙏🏽🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/ziPQBbmWv4
— Hon. Kamina J Smith (@kaminajsmith) February 28, 2022