Members of the Crooked Island community gathered at the island's dock location this week to vent their frustrations about the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.
One resident, Mrs Daxon, told The Tribune morale on the island was low.
“The morale is going down. If they don’t want to send us manpower they can send the tools," she said. "I am concerned about the people of Crooked Island. I want to see them get on with their life. We are not leaving Crooked Island because this is our home. We are not feeling the assistance of the government in any way. People are hurting and suffering as a community and society throughout this island. Nothing seems to be being organised to assist us impactfully toward an island solution.”
Another resident, Mr. Mackey, said, “I am frustrated, the world needs to know that things are not well here. I said to my wife they need to send some beauticians and barbers here to make the people feel good and feel better, we need to look at other things. They need to look at the body of water, the scent is awful, this is a health hazard. Stop coming here taking pictures, they need to come and live here and feel the harsh conditions and pain we are feeling. We are still in shock I believe. People are mentally and emotionally drained.
“There is so much to be done here," Mr Mackey added. "This is an emergency initiative and it seems as if the government is just passive about this island. It says a lot. We are waking up to the government.”
Mr. McKinney said distribution and coordination is needed.
“There is no proper distribution, no input from the local council government, we need help," he said.
“They supposed to be assisting with coordinating things but I have not seen the social workers. There are persons here hoarding stuff. You can quote me.
“I am the mailboat agent and I am here to assist. The local government council is useless and dormant at this point and you can quote me. Nothing is happening, we are doing our part, but only so much we could do with the limited persons here and the lack of machinery to help."
Many of the residents voiced similar sentiments with one, who didn't want to be named, saying tearfully, “I don’t know what they want us to do, but we will make it through the grace of God is all I can say."
Comments
EnoughIsEnough 8 years, 5 months ago
my heart goes out to the residents of crooked island who have suffered through this tragedy. i cannot even imagine how emotionally and physically draining the whole experience must be. however, having been there several times after past hurricanes to aid in disaster relief, i can say that these islands are extremely difficult to live in due to their distance from Nassau and all supplies, lack of employment opportunities (i.e. growth) etc. This is a time for residents to make a hard choice - continue to try to rebuild and live on one of our most isolated islands or leave with your memories and begin life elsewhere. the reality is that the residents live so far apart in these settlements that it does not make fiscal sense for the govt to invest and rebuild such a spiderweb infrastructure. if you want to live isolated and remote, you will have to bear the burden of that which means slower response, challenges for people to get to you, limited supplies at irregular times. life is full of tough choices. but it is not the responsibility of bahamians on other islands to rebuild your homes. it is not the govt responsibility. hard to hear i am sure.
John 8 years, 5 months ago
Yet government want these people to file VAT returns in 30 days. How heartless and how inconsiderate. Look at the damage. Water still remains four foot high in some areas. Some persons have no home or warm bed since the storm. The sensible thing to do would be to all persons in the affected area to combine their third and fourth quarter VAT returns and give them until January 28 to file. Then dispatch VAT personnel to assist with the fillings. How can you tell people who have lost everything and who are still living under survival conditions they gat 30 extra days to file their tax returns when help and hope ain't reach them yet?
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