There has been no significant request from Guyanese to be removed from Caribbean islands recently devastated by Hurricane Irma.
Speaking a press conference early today, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge indicated that more clarity is needed on the situation of Guyanese.
“As far as I am aware, while it is true that it has been said that some Guyanese would like to be repatriated, we have not received any significant number of requests for such movement,” Greenidge stated.
He said that the limited requests may be as a result of communication challenges, but he said that some Guyanese, who are adults and not injured. May choose to remain and try to rebuild, rather than “pick up and leave.”
There are no estimates available of how many Guyanese were affected by the hurricane.
The BVI has been left without potable water and electricity since being hit by hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Hundreds of Guyanese on the island have appealed to the Guyana Government for aid and assistance with repatriation since they are faced with food shortages and a growing security threat.
The BVI is home to some 1500 Guyanese and confirmed reports are that a Guyanese man, Derek Ragnaught, is one of five persons that died on the island as a result of Hurricane Irma.
