Jamaica's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Horace Chang, told Parliament that the country would welcome orphans from Haiti, amid growing social challenges.

"We have agreed to accommodate a number of individuals through legitimate means, namely the orphans residing in an orphanage facing isolation and challenges," explaining that the logistics of this arrangement are currently underway and that the NGO Mustard Seed Community will make the necessary arrangements.

The National Security chief also explained that the World Bank has asked Jamaica to bring its staff from Haiti to the neighboring country and that it is "we are actively working on facilitating this process."

"What we can do through legitimate means, we do. We must always maintain control of our borders because we cannot afford to be overwhelmed by refugees." He assured that measures to strengthen border security would be implemented to address any potential challenges.

About 30,000 children live in around 750 orphanages across Haiti, according to government figures. Chang did not specify how many orphans Jamaica would accept from Haiti.

S/ HaitiLibre