Prime Minister Gaston Browne and LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Hafsa Abdulsalam
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has finalized arrangements with LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Hafsa Abdulsalam, to evacuate Antiguan and Barbudan students currently in Jamaica if the need arises following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The Prime Minister met with Mrs. Abdulsalam on Tuesday morning, where she assured him that a LIAT aircraft will be made available as soon as conditions permit, should an evacuation become necessary.
Prime Minister Browne reported that all 53 students are safe and secure at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, where they have been housed since last Friday. He said the students are comfortable and have been able to continue their studies while awaiting the passage of the storm.
Hurricane Melissa, a large and dangerous Category 5 system, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday. The storm is moving slowly and poses a grave threat to life and property.
The Prime Minister called on churches and citizens across Antigua and Barbuda to pray for the people of Jamaica, seeking divine intervention to lessen the storm’s impact. He also noted that Antiguans and Barbudans understand firsthand the destruction hurricanes can bring and pledged that the country will extend assistance to Jamaica in the aftermath of the disaster.
Wha me tell you Gaston nah sleep pon dis one at all! He move quick, make sure dem students safe and even line up LIAT just in case. That ah real leadership, man. We been through storm too, so we know how rough it get. Big up Antigua lookin out fi we own and still keepin Jamaica inna we prayers. 💪🏽🇦🇬🇯🇲
I spoke with one of the students earlier they said they’re safe and grateful. Big up to LIAT for being on standby.
Proud of our Prime Minister for always looking out for our students abroad. Leadership in action! 🇦🇬
This is good, but let’s make sure the plan is clear and ready. In emergencies like this, timing is everything
Thanks for making this happen. At least our shares in the airplane is not going to waste
Didn’t some countries have removed their children out before the hurricane hit since last week? So why didn’t Antigua government did the same? I know of some parents here who already got their children out before the hurricane arrived.
That’s what Caribbean unity looks like. One people, one region — we stand with Jamaica in this difficult time.
Excellent collaboration between government and airline safety and compassion in action.
I spoke with one of the students earlier they said they’re safe and grateful. Big up to LIAT for being on standby.
Good initiative if it actually happens. Evacuation flights aren’t simple to organize