Ja: Jamaica asks U.N.'s help with Haitian refugees

Jamaica yesterday appealed for assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) after 130 more Haitian boat people arrived in the island, putting additional pressure on the island to deal with the Haitian refugee problem.

The latest arrivals pushed to 491 the number of Haitians to have made the perilous 100-mile journey in small overcrowded boats from their homeland to Jamaica since the influx began in February, at the height of the unrest that culminated with the overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The overthrown president is currently on temporary asylum in Jamaica ahead of going to South Africa.

"We expect financial support from the UNHCR by the end of the week," said foreign minister K D Knight.

I wonder if it has occurred to Jamaica that if Caricom had actually assisted with stabilizing Haiti that Haitians might not be fleeing still? But then, Caricom countries are still angry with the U.S. for complying with Aristide's request to depart, and for refusing to allow a tide of Haitian boat people to wash up on U.S. shores.