Carib community in NY unites By Lolita Long, Gleaner Writer NEW YORK: THE ENTIRE Caribbean Community is bonding in the face of the disaster that rocked New York City last week. Everyone is sharing information and trying to assist as much as possible. Caribbean employees worked at the World Trade Centre as janitors, security guards, restaurant workers, accountants and computer specialists. So far, two Jamaicans have been confirmed dead, and six are missing; Haiti has reported two missing; Dominican Republic one; Dominica 15; Bahamas one; Antigua 3, and one in hospital; St. Vincent 2; Barbados 3; St. Kitts 3; Montserrat 1 and Trinidad 3. The breakdown was given by Jamaica's Consul General Dr. Basil Bryan yesterday. He said, however, that the numbers are expected to go up considering the massive destruction. The Consulate has set up a register to keep tab on the number of Caribbean nationals missing or dead. This, he said, is being done in collaboration with other Consuls General. He's calling on families to report the dead or missing, and for the entire community to co-operate with the authorities by giving blood, or volunteering their services. "It's going to be a long haul," the Consul General said. He has been in contact with families who have reported missing loved ones. "One woman was running out of the building that was on fire, and she was told to stay put. She apparently didn't make it. Her sister and mother are holding up pretty well and are hoping for the best. She's a single mother with three children," he said. Another report he has received said that another woman only missed being in the crippled building because she stopped to buy muffin at 8.30 a.m. In fact, he said, she was on the 75th floor building 2, and going to the 86th floor when she was told to get back by fleeing patrons. She did just in time. Another person, an artist, is now missing. He worked all night on the top floor, and his family has not seen him since. "What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours," Dr Bryan sums it up aptly.
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