A shattered gas station is seen at the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in Freetown, Grand Bahama, Friday. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
NEMA spokesperson Carl Smith yesterday suggested storm victims were exacerbating challenges in the distribution of relief because they refused “to comply with law and order”.
Addressing concerns there was a critical need for water on Grand Bahama, Mr Smith appealed for storm victims to be patient amidst communication and transportation challenges.
He insisted there was “a lot” of water in Grand Bahama, but called for a “realist” perspective on the tremendous challenges being faced.
“We are dealing with a disaster,” Mr Smith said, “unfortunately patience are running out. We are begging the public, they will be serviced. We need to have law and order. One of the reasons why we have this exacerbated situation is because people refuse to comply with law and order. We need law and order and we must drive that into our people.”
When asked whether NEMA was sensitive to the circumstances faced by storm victims, particularly those without access to transportation, Mr Smith said: “We are facilitating getting them to the places as best we can.”
“Our representatives on the ground who know where those distribution sites are, and affected populations are doing that. It takes time to get to everyone, we are doing our best.”
Mr Smith likened the disaster relief management to a hospital system, adding while some people expect to be served immediately, all needs must be prioritized.
“We have to have priorities,” he said, “we have to attend to the most urgent need first.”
Mr Smith said: “I think it’s related a lot to the communication challenges that we may have, there is a tremendous amount of water (in Grand Bahama), There may be pockets of affected population that may have had difficulty making contact with us, and us with them. But I can assure you there is a lot of water, we need more water.
“Let’s be a realist the challenges are tremendous but we are making tremendous progress. And to the extent that persons may not have received supplies we are there to help.”
On Friday, a tropical storm warning was still in effect for the northwest Bahamas, and with it a high risk of flooding in areas already saturated by Hurricane Dorian.
Mr Smith said the inclement weather will slow down logistics, but stressed NEMA had contingencies in place.
“We have a substantial amount of food and water on the ground already (in Grand Bahama and Abaco),” Mr Smith said, “we know (weather disturbance) will slow it down, I’m hoping it doesn’t disrupt it but as we have indicated we have taken precautionary measures to address the potential impact that we may encounter.”
Comments
Godson 5 years, 1 month ago
The horse is already out the gate.... years before hurricane Dorian came along.
Machiavelli said, we should gather the sandbags long before the water overrun the banks of river; by then, it is too late.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 1 month ago
These daily NEMA press conferences are being revealed as nothing but the charade that they really are. I tip my hat to the one young reporter who called out Carl Smith for repeatedly saying that vital information needed by survivors that he himself should have been able to provide could readily be obtained from NEMA's website or other government agency websites. The reporter quickly reminded Smith that many of the survivors in outlying areas had no access to internet service and no means of transportation to get to where they might have internet access.
Also, it never ceases to amaze me how it's always the same few politically connected well-off white Bahamians in New Providence who seek to score browny points with our political leaders whenever our government is found to be wanting in many serious respects. These politically connected well-off white Bahamians (usually of the FNM variety) have no right to be dissing desperate survivors or their family members and friends who dare to speak out and express their own views about the Minnis-led FNM government's many shortcomings in the aftermath of Dorian.
Godson 5 years, 1 month ago
You said it right!
My2centz 5 years, 1 month ago
How can Mr Smith makes this comment that the victims refuse to "comply with law and order" without providing examples of this lawlesness? Sure they need to be patient, but if water delivery is as slow as the body count...their frustration is understandable.
TalRussell 5 years, 1 month ago
Ma comrades, I am just poor observer things red government or has the number counting process the dead - now come red light halt, yes, no ...... and, if so, who ordered that no further dead bodies are be counted ....
TalRussell 5 years, 1 month ago
You don't have wait Queen appoint Royal Commission of Hurricane Dorian Inquiry to see clear picture developing of the very top Comrade " Most Honourable" Prime Minister down to the colony's Health,Security, Immigration,Finance and Works Ministers the crown, and now reaching down to the lowly pay scale NEMA spokesperson Carl for being quick blame anyone, including the thirsty for water - that is to blame all others but themselves for their own publicly exposed response shortfalls to Hurricane Dorian, yes, no ..... Lots official media spokesman's but little signs on ground action .... God help colony's populaces when their elected government can't even handle simple task of delivering water to the populaces without belittling the thirsty for water Out Islanders ....
The_Oracle 5 years, 1 month ago
I have seen no lawlessness in GB, no mobs, I see trucks delivering food water to and from churches and other private relief services, Can't say i've seen Defense force or Nema but I do believe they are getting stuff out of at least one warehouse. If the NEMA Spokesperson can't say much then maybe they don't need one. Maybe NEMA is hoarding? don't know, don't care too busy delivering pallets of food water pampers, fuel and ice to churches that move it out as fast as I can bring it to them.
TalRussell 5 years, 1 month ago
Ma Comrade Oracle, the colony salutes your giving back your community, yes, no .... Abacoians are too crying out help, yes, no ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MDRjdL…
Grand Bahama island faces devastation after Hurricane Dorian tore through
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmc-yFk…
SP 5 years, 1 month ago
"HAITIAN Storm Victims 'Refusing To Comply With Law And Order'"
The_Oracle 5 years, 1 month ago
Yes Tal, there have been a few random incidences, opportunities that presented themselves to young men with no moral compass. I know of two attempted home invasions, unsuccessful. One shop Break in the last evening of the storm. Overall, what is happening in GB is positive and moving forward.
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