By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

PINEWOOD MP Khaalis Rolle was on hand yesterday to distribute furniture to “a community that bore the brunt of the storm” – having suffered severe flooding as a result of last month’s record rainfall.

In an effort to help flood-victims get back on their feet, Mr Rolle said dozens of mattresses, armchairs, armoires, and television sets were picked up from Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, or in some instances, delivered to homes.

“I know we won’t be able to help everybody,” Mr Rolle said.

“We looked at the hurt that people went through, we looked at the tragedy, and we decided that were going to do our best to help as many people as possible.

“I only wish we would be able to replace everybody’s furniture but the reality is that’s not possible. But we’re taking the steps to ensure that those that can be helped, will be helped.”

The items will be distributed based on an assessment NEMA completed in the aftermath of the floods.

“We’re going to go by list provided to us by NEMA, who did a door-to-door assessment and looked at the damage that took place in the individual homes,” Mr Rolle explained.

“Many people lost everything, there were homes that we went in that had up to 18 inches of water... and (persons) didn’t have the opportunity to secure all of their items – your dressers, your beds.

“These individuals take first priority because we can verify that damage took place in their homes. There was a very comprehensive assessment done to the point where we know the financial capabilities of those individuals.

“We know that even though the government put the exigency order in place, so you can bring your replacement in duty free, we realise that everyone don’t have a job, everyone don’t have the financial capability to benefit from that. So the individuals that are most vulnerable are the ones we are trying to reach first.”

Long-time Pinewood resident Rev Shirley Evans applauded Mr Rolle’s efforts to aid the flood victims, having herself suffered damage as a result of the heavy rains.

“It is much needed because we have a lot of people in this area who received damages to their furniture, their homes, and I think it’s a good gesture by the MP,” she said. “Even myself, I have two rooms that are damaged intensively, all the furniture is loss in two bedrooms.”

Many residents of Pinewood “are badly in need of this help,” Rev Evans said. “I pray more of them come out to receive the blessing that he received to give the people.”

Rev Evans said she has lived in the Pinewood area for 32 years.

Another resident, Miriam Whylly added: “Right now, I don’t have anything in the house. No drawer, no nothing. Everything washed away – clothes, shoes, everything. I only got garbage bag in my bedroom; I had to take up the carpet. Right now, I get nothing back yet, nothing.”

The furniture provided to flood victims was donated by Sandals Resorts, the Nassau Palm, and Baha Mar’s Wyndham Hotel.

NEMA and Andrew Stanford of Dirty Paws Hauling/Stanford Moving helped to move the items.