Residents want to go back to Haiti after blaze

Thursday, July 25, 2013

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PASTOR Celiner St Louis said yesterday residents of the Haitian community, devastated by a fire on Monday, want to return to Haiti after claiming they are receiving “little to no” assistance from government and the general public.

More than 200 people were left homeless after a massive fire ripped through their Joe Farrington Road community, destroying more than 50 homes.

The National Emergency Management Agency said Tuesday night, in a statement, they are seeking to determine the extent of the damage and how many people are in need of assistance. The agency also said the Salvation Army, the Department of Social Services, and the Red Cross are providing clothing, non-perishable items, food and accommodations for the displaced persons.

However, Mr St Louis said the assistance they initially received had slowed down and while members of the community are grateful for what they have received, it is not nearly enough for all of the people affected.

“We still need clothes, food and water for children and adults. We saw some people come in on Tuesday and bring clothes and food, but today (Wednesday), they did not come. Only Social Services came and they did not bring enough food. Maybe 20 or 30 people ate what they brought, but we have over 100 people that need to eat, including children,” he said.

“We are thankful for what they give but these people have nothing and are starting over. The Salvation Army did not come, Red Cross did not come, so they had to struggle to find food. People are sleeping in cars, on the floor, anywhere that is dry and warm. It is so bad, persons are telling me they want to go home. Many of them said they want to go back to Haiti, but do not have the money to buy the ticket. They want to leave because they have nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat and nothing to wear. It is not good here for them.”

Mr St Louis also said a lot of the residents do not have money to renew their permits or do not have permits at all and since they are being evicted by the landlords, they are trying to find money to go back home.

He is asking members of the public to donate whatever they can to assist these people.

“If God is in your heart, you will help these people, you can call me at 426-7414 or drop the items off at Gospel Assembly Church on Minnie Street. We need everything, please help them out,” Mr St Louis said.

Senior Social Services staff could not be reached for comment up to press time, but in a statement released yesterday morning, but dated Tuesday, July 23, the Department said it had assigned a team of officers to the area and established a base in a nearby church.

“Social Workers are currently conducting assessments to determine needs and the level of assistance required and working with non-governmental agencies in the provision of emergency relief,” the statement said.

It confirmed that Great Commission Ministries provided a meal for the residents on Tuesday and that the Red Cross provided food parcels, but did not specify what assistance was planned for yesterday.

Comments

spoitier says...

This story don't make any sense, it sounds like the tribune is trying to bait hatred.

Posted 25 July 2013, 11:51 a.m. Suggest removal

rony says...

Real Talk, are "most" Haitians trying to suck the life out this country? Come on dred the Bahamas is so small how much they think we can dp?

Posted 25 July 2013, 3:50 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

You want know some-tin Comrade Preacherman's Celiner St Louis. When you play that Shantytowns social "gimmie gimmie game" you ought knows how damn angry you makes the natives. I will tell you how bad it is. They take with the "enough is enough shakes."

Posted 25 July 2013, 4:13 p.m. Suggest removal

Maybe you guys heard the whole interview, because I think this is a case of a newspaper trying make a story out of nothing. I really don't think the preacherman or the community could have been that foolish to think that the government owe them something or, could possibly think about going back home.

Posted 25 July 2013, 4:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Why is the National Emergency Management Agency rushing to aid shantytown residents when there are hurricane victims that are still seeking to determine when their damage properties, on legal lands, and they families hurt-in, is go'in receive some of that obsvously "excess aid? While NEMA is "rushing" aid their way they might want stop by and try asking the Department of Social Services, to send some excess "love offerings" their way too? It all sounds so charming, until you examine the facts. Then it like if you're native they kick you in the gut. Using both feet and knees.

Posted 25 July 2013, 4:56 p.m. Suggest removal

ktsears98 says...

The callousness is remarkable. People are in need. It serves no one, not the residents of this community or the people around it, for them to suffer. The only things that can come out of people being displaced and living in unsanitary conditions are sickness and deterioration of the social conditions. Both of those things can easily spread to the wider community. This situation should be handled by NEMA and other agencies just as any other because these are people who need help.

Posted 25 July 2013, 11:56 p.m. Suggest removal

Twinnegian says...

This "Pastor" acting like somebody forcing these people to stay. If it’s so bad then pack up yall georgie bundle and head back the same way yall come from. They talking about they would rather go home but can't afford a ticket??!!! Y'all didn't come on a plane to begin with!!! Although i would rather shell out for a one way ticket to send them home rather than spend MORE time and money trying to support them, who is to say the minute we send them back they won't be coming back to Nassau on the next thing smoking. We can't win for losing with these people!! I can have sympathy for people (no matter what nationality) when a fire destroys everything you own but DONT jump up and make public announcements that while the help has been ok, it’s not nearly enough. 50 homes with 200 people means they were already living an average of 10 people to a home so it’s not like they were living in the lap of luxury from the beginning.
The reality is while some were legal; most were probably illegal so we don't really have an obligation to provide for them. Personally, i would rather leave these people be because they’re going to find a way to make it anyway because that’s just what they do and donate my money to the young lady featured in the Lifestyle section who at 24 is basically a living vegetable because of a car accident.
If it was up to me, all 200 of them would be put on a boat with a 5 gallon bottle of water and a couple bags of 3S rolls and they woulda had to hope they make it back home the same way they make it to The Bahamas.

Posted 26 July 2013, 1:03 a.m. Suggest removal