National

Field Hospital Slated for Inagua

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An uptick in COVID cases in Haiti coupled with a rise in Haitian migrants being apprehended in local waters have immigration and health officials on high alert.

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2023

Marlena Leonard

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An uptick in COVID cases in Haiti coupled with a rise in Haitian migrants being apprehended in local waters have immigration and health officials on high alert.

Three hundred and 95 Haitian migrants were intercepted by the United States Coast Guard earlier this week.

The sailboat in question was packed to the brim with migrants, with one woman standing precariously on what looked to be the absolute edge of the deck.

These sights are becoming more common as Haiti continues to struggle with gang violence, absent leadership, and health crises.

Assistant Director of Immigration, Rudolph Ferguson, tells us the 395 migrants are being kept on Inagua, and offers a hopeful timeline for repatriations.

When asked if there are man-power and spacing concerns, Ferguson says the facility currently holding the 395 migrants actually has a capacity of around twice that as it’s designed to hold 800 people.

Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville says they will continue to use field hospitals on Inagua for screening as needed.