The following note was passed on to the Reporter, by someone in the UK who had received it in April 1999 from the Montserrat Government UK Office.  The gentleman said he found it strange that even now in May, not a single other person he had spoken to in the UK or elsewhere, received this document.

Further Enquiries on the contents of the document should be forwarded to the Montserrat Government UK Office.

See the Reporters' comments in the May 7th issue.

GOVERNMENT OF MONTSERRAT’S BRIEFING NOTE FOR RETURNING MONTSERRATIANS

Introduction

This note seeks to provide Montserratian evacuees wishing to return to Montserrat with an accurate assessment of conditions on the island.

Volcanic Situation and Emergency Arrangements

2. The latest volcanic assessment has concluded that there has been no resumption of magmatic eruption since March 1998 and that risk levels of a major volcanic eruption are now similar to those in other Caribbean volcanic islands.

3. Currently, the northern boundary of the exclusion zone runs along the Belham Valley and then in a north-easterly direction. Salem, Friths, Happy Hill, Old Towne and Hope are now open. Areas south of Belham bridge remain closed to residents and businesses at this time.

4. Siren tests are carried out periodically and publicity is always given In advance. If the sirens sound at any other time people should tune their radios to Radio Montserrat for information.

5. There are now specific visiting hours operating at the MVO. The public is usually accommodated between 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm Mondays to Fridays.

6. Currently, emergency arrangements are in place to supply the island with fuel and cooking gas and, while these are generally available, shortages are experienced from time to time.

Housing

7. The lack of housing was a principle reason why many Montserratians opted to relocate off island. The availability of accommodation is therefore essential to facilitate the early return of those who wish to do so.

8. Emergency shelters are gradually being closed and will therefore not be used to accommodate returning residents or any other new residents.

9. The Government of Montserrat will have one hundred and sixty five housing units at Lookout available for allocation by May. There is also potential for sixty soft mortgage loans. A number of other housing projects will commence this year including a further phase of materials grant for self-build housing.

10. The Government of Montserrat estimates that there exists en on island demand of around seven hundred and seventy families - though work is underway to check these figures. Whilst new projects will provide housing for all those on-island In greatest need, some people may still be living in temporary accommodation in two years time. Given on-island housing supply and demand, the Ministry with responsibility for housing is therefore, at present unable to make a contribution to housing returnees though some returnees will be able to rejoin other members of their family who will have suitable accommodation.

Health

11. In the health sector all returnees can expect to have ready and free access to the full range of medical services provided by the Community Health Clinics at St. Peter’s, Cudjoe Head and St. John’s. They can also expect 24 hour access to the Casualty Unit if required. if an admission to hospital is required they can obtain this from one of the above units. In exceptional circumstances they can be referred ‘off-island’ for specialised treatment at no cost to themselves. There are pharmacy and laboratory facilities on island. Patients may incur certain costs for drug/prescriptions and laboratory tests. All basic x-ray facilities, basic surgical procedures arid some emergency surgery can be carried out on Island to an adequate standard.

12. It patients so desire they can seek a private consultation from one of the two private practitioners on Island. They can also seek a private consultation from the one private dental practitioner. If they fall into certain welfare categories they can obtain free dental treatment from the Ministry of Health’s Dental Nurse.

Social Services

13. Wherever possible, the Community Services Department advise that returning Montserratians should, prior to their return, have accommodation, positive employment possibilities and arrangements for their financial up keep. In line with this, the department will be able to offer the usual advisory and counseling services to individuals and families should they require them.

14. A Social Welfare Review is currently underway on Montserrat, This will address the financial benefits available for Montserratians presently on island, as well as for those who return. However, the culmination of this Review and the subsequent implementation of an accepted scheme has not yet been finalised.

15. In the interim, and in the absence of a new social welfare policy statement, the services providing financial assistance, such as public assistance, foster care and food vouchers cannot be offered to those who return.

16. There are three facilities that provide geriatric care, namely the Hill View Home and the Margetson Memorial Homes operated by the Ministry of Health and the newly built Golden Years Home which is managed independently. The latter is a residential home whereas the former two are nursing homes for elderly people with special needs.

17. The Hill View Home and Margetson Memorial Homes operate mainly through referrals from Community Services or the Health Department. Referred cases are put to a committee for evaluation. People can apply whilst they are oversees and their applications will a evaluated through the same process. It must be stressed that places are limited.

18. Private and general places may become available from time to time at the Golden Years Home. Returning residents can apply from overseas to enter this facility. There is a formal application procedure that includes presentation of medical information. It must be stressed that the Golden Years Home is a residential facility.

Education

19. Montserrat currently offers full time education for nursery, primary and secondary school students up to fifth form. The range of courses at secondary level is the same as before the start of the crisis. It is expected that additional school places will be available at all levels for the 1999 - 2000 school year.

20. The Department of Education would prefer if parents register their children In advance of their return. Registration for Montserrat Secondary School can be done directly through the Principal. Registration for primary and secondary school age pupils should be done through the Department of Education. To ensure continuity for children’s education and appropriate planning within the department pupils for the 1999 - 2000 academic school year should attempt to register before July 31 1999.

21. Presently, there is no facility for post-secondary education but plans are being made for the introduction of a limited number of courses during the upcoming academic year. It is hoped that a full range of post-secondary courses will be re-Introduced by 2001. However, the UWI School of Continuing Studies is operational and offers part time challenge courses in a range of disciplines.

The Public Service

22. The Public Service has been streamlined following a Resource Allocation Review. There are now fewer positions available, and most vacancies are in specialist or professional areas. Vacancies are advertised in the local media and are passed onto Mrs Janice Panton, Government of Montserrat Information Officer in the UK. Enquiries can be directed by letter to the Permanent Secretary, Department of Administration.

23 The Department of Administration (Training Division) also advises that educational scholarships have decreased substantially due to financial constraints and priorities of the funding agencies. We may not be able to help in this regard.

24. All Consular matters (applications for Permanent Residence, citizenship by Naturalisation or Registration or for Passports or Permit, Marriage Licenses. etc.) are processed by the Department of Administration, following submission of the relevant forms, duly completed.

March 1999

This is the text of the cover letter which accompanied the note:

Return Air Fare Scheme

Further to DFID'S recent announcement of the Return Airfare Scheme, I now enclose the Government of Montserrat's briefing note for people who are considering returning to the island.

I would be grateful if you could please distribute these to members of the Montserrat community.

If, in the meantime, you have any queries regarding the notes please let me know.

 

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

 

Janice Panton MBE

Information Officer

The Reporter - Doing our part to inform the wider Montserrat community.