The Tribune

LEFT in a state of shock on learning that our southern islands were almost wiped from the map, government was further stunned when a second whirlwind blew past them as Bahamians gathered up as many supplies as they could, loaded them onto privately owned boats and planes and flew to the rescue.

Bahamians from every walk of life answered the call. They donated what they could — and some more than they could — to help their fellow islanders in the south. Aircraft, boats, everything that flew or floated, filled with essential supplies from generous companies and private citizens, took to the skies and seaways. “Rescue our southern kinsmen was underway.”

Those who could not provide supplies, generously produced funds to purchase life’s necessities. The generosity of this country’s residents – both Bahamian and non-Bahamian — showed what could be achieved if we were indeed One Bahamas — one people.

This movement of private citizens was so swift and effective that politicians were left like deer caught in a car’s headlights. However, to her credit, Mrs Loretta Butler-Turner was the first politician to make a move. As soon as the winds stopped gusting, she was organising a flight to her Long Island constituency — also badly damaged by Hurricane Joaquin, which remained over our islands for two days.

On October 26 – more than three weeks after the deadly hurricane –

MICAL MP Alfred Gray told The Tribune that his government had not forgotten Crooked Island… however, the recovery efforts would “take some time”.

Twenty-four days later, Crooked Islanders felt that they were indeed a forgotten people. They had no power, no fresh water – the water table being contaminated with diesel from BEC tanks – no generators, no propane to cook with, no meat, no tarps, no NEMA supplies, the majority of homes damaged and only one working dump truck to go through the bacteria, virus, faeces-infested floods. Thank God for the Royal Navy. The Navy rushed in food supplies.

The Defence Force was sent, but they too lacked supplies and material with which to work. A private citizen had to top up their pre-paid cell phones, so that they could communicate.

In addition to having none of the essentials, Crooked Island – which is part of Mr Gray’s constituency of Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay – needs able-bodied manpower. In the 2000 census, Crooked Island had 350 residents, probably even less today, but most of them are elderly. The youth have moved to Nassau. After the hurricane those who could, also left for Nassau. So in addition to supplies, Crooked Island needs able-bodied men to help rebuild. Flooding has cut off families throughout the different settlements.

“We need persons to understand that recovery efforts will take some time,” said Mr Gray. “With that said, I can confidently say we are working to resolve the issues in Crooked Island.”

Addressing concerns about the speed of the government’s response, Mr Gray told a Tribune reporter: “You can’t just jump in and start working without knowing exactly what needs to be done. Reconstruction efforts need assessments to be carried out in order for it to be successful.” However, that is exactly what private citizens did — they jumped in and quickly got the rescue mission moving.

Despite the devastation and tears of grown men who feel their manhood has been stripped from them because they can no longer care for their families, a six-man team from Nassau found their fear of victimisation even more tragic. Persons were afraid to express their true feelings about their government, fearing that the few privileges they once enjoyed would be stripped from them. Throughout the islands volunteers learned about “pageantry politics” — in other words politicians who were more interested in “photo ops” for the press than in their constituents.

Crooked Islanders, however, were thankful for help from a Florida children’s charity group. Their assessments were done in a few days after the hurricane so that they could start assisting with the island’s rebuilding. Bahamas Habitat – a Methodist group based in Eleuthera – arrived on Wednesday to also help with reconstruction. Among the group of ten were carpenters, and electricians, some skilled and some unskilled. The latest report from Crooked Island is that the nurses and doctors are now low on food – but praise be to Allah, the government assessment has been completed – better late than never some say.

A group of six volunteers from Nassau — representing HeadKnowles, the Chinese community, Urban Renewal and The Tribune Media Group, flew into Crooked Island on Thursday planning to stay until Sunday to help with the reconstruction. The island administrator, Mrs Neilly, gave them permission to pitch their tent in a mosquito-infested swamp.

Several expensive first responder backpacks, with flash frozen food, tools and other survival supplies inside — donated to The Tribune Media Group for Crooked Island – mysteriously disappeared on a NEMA flight the following day. A Tribune representative in Nassau saw the two large boxes, clearly addressed to Crooked Island, loaded onto the aircraft on Friday for delivery that afternoon. The representative was told what time the plane would be at the Crooked Island airport so that a member of the volunteer team could meet it on arrival. But after waiting for hours – during which the persons meeting the plane were told that it was on its way only to be informed later that it had arrived three hours earlier, but had left nothing at Crooked Island. It was claimed that it then took off for Acklins. This was the last word on the mystery disappearance of the supplies. They were told that nothing was offloaded from the plane. Also in the packs were the food for the six volunteers and the tools with which they had planned to work. With no food, and not wanting to dip into the residents meagre supplies, the team was forced back to Nassau on Saturday. The supplies are still missing.

However, in a last gesture of friendship and goodwill, the head of The Tribune team looked down at the flip-flops worn by one of those remaining to rebuild his island. He bent down, unlaced his own Timberlake waterproof hiking boots, and gave them to the gentleman.

The Tribune leader, hungry and tired, came home barefooted.