Roseau, Dominica – January 21, 2010…… Minister for National Security Labour and Immigration, Hon. Charles Savarin has announced that Haitian nationals currently residing in Dominica will be given a six month extension to their stay in Dominica.
“ Haitian nationals who are on island and whose stay may have already expired or is soon to expire or who may have arrived here in an irregular manner and may not have proper documentation, that we will extend their stay by six months. For immigration purposes those who are here and whose immigration status are in order that they should go to the authorities and have their stay in Dominica extended by six months in light of the developments which have taken place in Haiti, “ Hon Savarin stated at a press conference held recently.
Hon. Charles Savarin has been appointed the Head of the National Task Force coordinating Dominica’s participation in the CARICOM –wide effort to provide relief to Haiti.
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Social Security, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit has also announced that the fees connected with the six month extension granted to Haitian nationals living here will be waived. All arrears will also be waived.
Prime Minister Skerrit, who is also the Chairman of CARICOM, has also announced that Dominica will provide thirty (30) police officers to provide security and other assistance in Haiti to be coordinated by the Regional Security System (RSS). Other countries within CARICOM are also providing personnel to assist in the recovery efforts in Haiti.
The Dominican leader added that CARICOM will take on the lead role in championing the cause of Haiti.
“ Dominica as you know has been at the forefront of speaking on behalf of Haiti at every turn. In my last address to the United Nations a very large part and a central part of my address was on Haiti and the lack of attention that the international community gave to Haiti at the time. My hope is that we will now find it in our hearts as an international community to cancel all Haiti’s debts to everybody and let us ensure that whatever resources pledged to Haiti for its reconstruction, the red tape and the bureaucratic processes can be shortened so as to see the resources into Haiti as quickly as possible.”
