The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN, who was evacuated from devastated Crooked Island on Monday, told The Tribune yesterday that she was “disappointed” over the “filthy” temporary living accommodations at a local motel provided by the government in the aftermath of the monster storm.

Takeisha Delancy, 27, was flown from Crooked Island on Monday night after she and members of her family were listed as in need of immediate medical attention. They had suffered cuts that required tetanus shots, which were not available on the island. She, her sister and their six children, also decided to fly into the capital because they had lost everything during the hurricane, including their home.

She described the motel in downtown Nassau that they were sent to as “completely unacceptable” to house anyone, especially small children.

“When we arrived in Nassau,” Ms Delancy said, “by the time as we got to the first place it was clear we couldn’t stay there. Passing the pool I noticed that the water was this green, grimy colour. We got up to the room and water and wet tissue was everywhere and the bathroom, especially the toilet – my goodness it was like it hadn’t been cleaned for weeks. Even windows in the room were broken out. (It was) totally unacceptable. How do they expect to bring people to this place to live? “The social worker, he went up there and went into the room because I remember him and a motel worker going up there, but by the time as we came back he was gone. He told my sister, well he guessed we should be fine anyways, and he just pull off and left.”

Ms Delancy said she was also surprised with the level of disorganisation from government officials who did not know where they could be housed after they complained about the conditions at the motel.

With midnight drawing close and restless children to care for, she said she asked a person she knew to contact Free National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard in the hope of receiving help.

Mr Pintard reassured the sisters, their small children and another family. They were given a room at the Melía Nassau Beach Hotel. She said he also provided a meal for them on Monday night in addition to breakfast yesterday morning.

Ms Delancy appealed to the government to move with haste in rebuilding their island so that they can return home.

“We want to go home. Home is home and we would want to go back as soon as possible.”

Ms Delancy also thanked local organisations that have provided donations, including the HeadKnowles Foundation, for the clothing, toys and toiletries provided to her family.

In a brief interview with The Tribune, Mr Pintard pledged his support for the two families, saying the assistance would continue until the government stepped up to the plate.

Crooked Island was one of the southern islands most devastated by Hurricane Joaquin’s passage last week. The category four storm tore through homes, ripped off roofs and created chest-high storm surges in some areas.

Many of the affected islands have been without electricity for six days.

Forty-six residents from Crooked Island were evacuated to New Providence on Monday. Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade has said the residents had to come to New Providence because they had no shelter in Crooked Island.