They expected it would take a day, two at the most, but not two weeks. Now the Florida donors are baffled that the hurricane relief supplies sent here after Wilma are still in a locked warehouse.
Several Florida residents dug into their pocketbooks and wallets and purchased a variety of essential pet and human supplies and even collected items from theirs and their neighbours’ homes.
Three boatloads of goods earmarked for the Grand Bahama Humane Society arrived in West End on November 6 and remain there despite repeated efforts by the local organization to have them cleared.
That’s because the man in charge of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Carnard Bethel is said to be dealing with the case “personally.”
Several phone calls placed to Mr. Bethel’s office last week went unreturned and he was said to be out for the last two days.
The outpouring of supplies resulted from an e-mail from Grand Bahama Humane Society co-manager Elizabeth Burrows and an article in the Palm Beach Post.
Over $20,000 worth of dog food and shampoo, human food, toiletries children and adult clothing, medication and baby supplies ﾗ diapers, formula and wipes ﾗ were sent over.
Several e-mails from the donors such as The Kohn Foundation, the Humane Society of Broward County and Luv A Pet Rescue reaching The Freeport News conveyed the pains much of them had to go through to collect the items, including making door-to-door appeals for assistance.
One Florida woman wrote, “I was able to get lots of dog food and three cases of dog shampoo donated …and collected clothing, linens and toys from neighbours, as well as from my own closets. I also sent dry food goods and some medicines, toiletries,” she said. “I’m really upset, of course, that NEMA is being so ridiculous with allowing the supplies to be given to those who need them, both two-legged and four.”
Ellen Kohn, Board Chair for The Kohn Foundation, said she understood the arrival of the supplies came as a surprise to government, but points out that they pitched in and worked hard to send the supplies.
“Here in Evergreen, Colorado, we also are preparing a large shipment of clothing, bedding and non-perishable items for the same communities,” she revealed.
The day the supplies arrived they were placed in a warehouse as opposed to the care of the humane society, Grand Bahama Human Rights President Fred Smith called the situation a disgrace.
Having exhausted every avenue, short of trying to contact the prime minister, Humane Society co-manager Elizabeth Burrows says the situation is very frustrating and she is upset that their attempts to aid in the relief effort have been thwarted by bureaucracy.
“In addition to our desire to help in the worsening stray animal problem after the hurricane,” she said, “we are also extremely sympathetic to the humans in the disaster and wanted to help in that way as well. We were under the impression that the supplies would be cleared duty free.”
Ms. Burrows noted that she even contacted the area MP, Minister Obie Wilchcombe on November 10, and he assured her that the matter would be looked into and cleared up.
She also contacted Opposition party members Lindy Russell and Neko Grant.
The last time she had spoken with Mr. Bethel he reportedly told her that NEMA’s position was that the goods should not be duty free and something needed to come from the secretary of finance to say otherwise.
Ms. Burrows says the donors are still asking why the items are not being distributed to the people of West Grand Bahama.
“It’s embarrassing to try to find the words to explain to them what’s happening because I can’t understand it myself,” she said.
Giving an example of the depth of the donations, she said, “I’ve got one receipt from Walmart where one person spent $886 for toiletries.”
According to Ms. Burrows, they can’t understand why the items are not considered legitimate relief supplies and be allowed into the country for people who need them.
She says the stray animal population was bad before the hurricane and is even worse now because so many people have been left homeless and therefore many more pets are left homeless and are running the streets.
“It is distressing that in the year 2005 animal relief work is not considered a necessity at a time of disaster such as this,” she said. “One doesn’t have to love animals to realize that companion animals such as dogs and cats depend on humans for their very survival.”
She said the nation has an obligation to care for those creatures who cannot take care of themselves.
Many people have expressed an interest in sending more supplies, but she says she simply doesn’t know what to tell them.
At a time like this, Ms. Burrows says a legitimate organization like the Humane Society should be able to get in and distribute relief supplies in a timely fashion.
“The sad thing is I am afraid that this is going to discourage future donations from abroad,” Ms. Burrows said.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior FN Reporter
