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AS Hurricane Melissa makes its way toward Jamaica, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers assured that TT nationals studying on the island were not left behind, but the students believe reality is different on the ground.

Speaking at a media conference on October 26, Sobers said the ministry took immediate action after receiving e-mails from concerned students and parents around midday on October 22. The US-based National Hurricane Centre began monitoring the system around October 21 and warned of impacts to Jamaica by October 23.

Sobers said a "blast e-mail" was sent to all 268 students in Jamaica on the morning of October 23, asking if they wished to return home. However, he said only 72 accepted the offer, while 13 declined. The other 183, he said, did not respond to the e-mail.