The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) is commending both its party president Mark Golding and Prime Minister Andrew Holness for responding to the plight of dozens of Jamaican students stranded in war-torn Ukraine.

The PNPYO, in a statement on Friday (February 25), noted that Golding raised US$10,000 and made a personal contribution to assist the Jamaican students in Ukraine in getting to safety.

Similarly, the prime minister, in a statement, indicated that through his Positive Jamaica Foundation, he raised US$11,500 to assist the mainly medical students.

According to news reports, the sum was amassed on Thursday.

“This is an extremely commendable effort which demonstrates to all Jamaicans that Golding has their best interest at heart and is willing to not only talk but act,” the PNPYO argued.

The organisation also commended Holness for “following the lead of Golding”.

While praising both leaders, the group seemingly found it ‘interesting’ that no sooner than the PNP’s announcement of a contribution, Holness alerted the country to “a similar endowment through his charity”.

The PNPYO’s suggestion was sparked by criticisms of the Jamaican Government on Twitter, in which users slammed the Holness Administration for appearing to be in a race to ‘look good’ in the public eye despite repeatedly defending its travel loan offer amid accusations it wasn’t doing enough.

Slamming Holness’ about-face, the PNP’s youth organisation criticised what it called attempts to score ‘political points’ and toying with Jamaican lives in the middle of a violent crisis.

“It is very clear to the PNPYO that the Government is playing games with the lives of our Jamaican citizens who are in imminent danger. If Mr Holness had at his disposal, such resources other than those of the Government which he could have mobilised to assist our students in Ukraine, it is unconscionable that he has only made them available just now,” the group argued.

“While we commend Mr Holness for following the lead of Mr Golding, we cry shame on him for this vulgar act of politics which has no place in government, especially when the lives of Jamaican citizens are at stake,” added the PNPYO.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its latest update, explained that 22 Jamaicans are en route by train from Kharkiv to the western Ukrainian town of L’viv, whereby they would be granted safe passage to Poland.

• RELATED: Ministry of Foreign Affairs | ‘Poland ready to welcome our Jamaican students now in transit, efforts continue to assist two deep in Ukraine’