The individuals will continue to remain on island to assist with the investigation and the legal proceedings as deemed necessary.

The Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security continues to undertake measures to secure the safety and well-being of individuals alleged to be victims of human trafficking linked to the Lambirds Academy Investigation.

The said educational institution was closed on February 27, and is currently under an ongoing police investigation.

Over the past month, the Government of Saint Lucia has been providing accommodation and meals for 28 individuals at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre. Arrangements have also been made for paid accommodation for 16 individuals at two other locations in the north of the island.

The Government of Saint Lucia continues to collaborate with other support agencies to provide food items and toiletries to all the affected persons.

A Trafficking in Persons Task Force has been activated and will continue to pay close attention to the welfare of the remaining non–nationals who are affected by this matter. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Gender Relations continues to provide counseling and other health-related services to the individuals.

Three from a total of 60 Nepalese nationals departed the island last Thursday, March 26, on their own volition. These persons were not considered material to the ongoing legal proceedings concerning this matter. It must be noted that due diligence is being taken to ensure that the investigation and the legal proceedings will not be compromised. For that purpose, some individuals will continue to remain on island to assist as deemed necessary.

Meanwhile, although it is a critical concern, the issue of the restitution of the funds falls entirely within the purview of the courts. The police have secured the contact information of all the affected individuals so that necessary arrangements can be made, if so ordered.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security reaffirms that everything within the confines of the law is being done, in collaboration with the UN International Organization of Migration – IOM, to secure the welfare of the affected individuals and to bring decisive closure to this matter.