THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE PAST few days have been filled with much activity. Activities that are illegal, immoral, exciting, sad, frightening and even mind-boggling. Hurricane Ivan (henceforth called H. Ivan) struck Jamaica on September 10, and has come and gone, leaving in its path a trail of turmoil and displaced families. H. Ivan brought out either the best or worst in all of us.
For some, this was the ripe opportunity to get that piece of furniture that they could not afford before, or to get a new mattress. Some took the opportunity to help themselves to things that did not belong to them, even at the expense of others.
In Portmore, I heard at least four horrible stories of households waking up to find their Rhino Tanks that were full of water the night before empty! But thank God for 'good Samaritans' neighbours who are willing to give a little of the little that they have. Then again, we also thank God for corporate companies and foreign entities that are supporting us through aid of different kinds.
In other instances, the unity which H. Ivan
created was encouraging and heart-warming. In all the horror that H. Ivan brought, most Jamaicans inadvertently forgot the third anniversary (September 11, 2001) of the bombing of the 'Twin Towers' in New York City, United States of America. Here too, we quickly forgot that 90 per cent of our sister isle Grenada was also destroyed by H. Ivan and is still struggling to put the pieces back together.
ROCKING IN THE SAME BOAT
Now, the Cayman Islands and Cuba are rocking in the same boat trying to rebuild and reshape lives and communities in the quickest possible time. Many forget that the hurricane season is not yet over and that we still have a good two months to go.
Overall, the experience was a very frightening one for many. Trees were totally uprooted or badly broken up and the bare landscape leaves us with the view of vast open spaces once hidden by dense shrubs. Regal, architectures were not spared by the onslaught of giant 20ft and 30ft storm surges that smashed into houses as though they were tiny toy boxes.
The destruction was devastating, houses were broken in two or part of them taken away by the giant waves. And the nightmare continues. The pictures in the newspapers after the fact also help to send shivers down the spine as we see aerial shots of communities marooned by water or
completely submerged by rivers that overflowed their banks.
In St. Andrew, houses built in or on the banks of the Hope River were washed away by high river tides and mudslides. No parish of our beautiful isle was spared. Yet, if we think long and hard enough and remember the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert on September 12, 1988 the island was at its most fruitful several months later. Every fruit and vegetable crop lavishly gave of its best to its people. We were not in want.
BLESSED BY GOD
All in all, although the damage was severe and widespread, we are still blessed by God. This is still the greatest little nation in the world with some of the best and brightest minds in the universe. We continue to excel at whatever we do, (whether good or evil).
Kudos to the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The vigilant police officers provided protection for the property and lives of many, even while the
hurricane was upon us. The Hunts Bay team even found the time to transform the station into a delivery room and delivered a baby boy at the
station house. Mother and baby are still O.K. Kudos to the Jamaica Defence Force for providing air support during critical moments airlifting
people out of danger's way. Kudos to the radio
stations who kept us company during the 'longest night of our lives', giving us valuable information to keep us abreast of what was happening across the island with call-in-programmes from various communities in all the parishes.
Kudos also to the telecom giant, Cable & Wireless, which had no break in communication during the raging storm. Many now sing its praises. One person said "I cannot find the words to say how impressed I am, so mi jus a go buy a phone" and she did the same day too. Who would have thought that H. Ivan would have helped C&W in this way. What a comeback! 'Di owna fi di yard' basks in its moment of glory.
And after all is said and done, what can we say but thanks be to God Almighty. Jehovah Immeka (notice how close the name is to Jamaica? This is not coincidence), the God who is with us. Have any doubts? just check the tracking map of mighty Hurricane Ivan and see the hand of God at work.
I am, etc.,
C.P. HYATT-KELLY
chyatt@productivebiz.com
