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DAMAGE ON CROOKED ISLAND

Three weeks after Hurricane Joaquin struck the southern Bahamas, Crooked Island residents have been voicing their concerns about living conditions and the health of those on the island.

Resident Derick Ingraham told The Tribune on Thursday how people have been in survival mode from the moment of the hurricane until the present day.

“I remember in the midst of the hurricane how I had to tie my wife, my kids and myself together to get to one of the shelters to try and survive,” he said. “This is the first time I felt helpless as a man, the protector of my home. Even now I am in disbelief of what we are experiencing. It’s more psychological I think, so we have to keep moving forward. We need a psychologist here to speak to the people because many of us are still not settled in our mind and behavior. We are in survival mode.”

Beulah Carroll; the head nurse of the clinic on the island, said, “We are just sorting through, day by day. We are doing our part but we need much help, especially in the area of manpower and true added assistance from the government.”

Flooding is major problem on the island, with one resident saying: “It smells like death, like hundreds of the natural wildlife just died in the flooding, mosquito infestation is throughout the island.”

Nurse Carroll was also concerned the flooding could spread disease.

“The still immense flooding, a mosquito infestation and the scent of possible disease filled waters, makes for huge health problems throughout the island,” she said. “Many diseases can spread, which can affect the lives of many throughout the island. This can be a bigger problem than where we are now.”

Nurse Carroll's husband Michael Carroll added that the island is in a terrible state, saying, “What took place in regards of the storm is not over.”

Elvin and Shatinka Scavella, both residents of Crooked Island, who are now located at the Crooked Island clinic with several other persons, spoke about their desperate situation.

Elvin Scavella said, “This is not over yet. People need to experience how we living. They need to see this. We need help with every little thing we can. We need building materials, building supplies, we need persons from the government to truly do their part, and we need willing persons.”

Shatinka Scavella, who is a school teacher on Crooked Island, echoed her husband's sentiments.

“Living in a clinic weeks after the hurricane had passed says it all, not being able to have a home to go too says it all, not being able to operate as regular people says it all,¯ she said.

“Schools are destroyed with most children now on the island of New Providence says it all. Whatever persons are saying whether it is government officials or whoever, we need help, we need serious attention. This is survival mode at its peak, only the private citizens are really moving anything in some form of any attempt.”