By Dennie Quill, ContributorIVAN'S AFTERMATH is proving to be as troublesome to Jamaica as the hurricane itself. Reports of persons being killed by carbon monoxide poisoning and being electrocuted are among the saddest I have heard. Scores of post-Ivan stories abound and I estimate that it will take many months to exhaust them all.
I was very disturbed by the images of Portland Cottage which were beamed on television over last weekend. Disaster relief was not getting to these persons fast enough. They desperately wanted water and food. Those who were tracking the storm knew that Portland Cottage was among the hardest hit areas in the country so it was difficult to understand why feeding centres had not been established there and why medical and public health personnel had not been dispatched to the area in a timely fashion, to explain to people the risks they face and help them coordinate activities in the shelters.
A few portable toilets should also have found their way to Portland Cottage soon after the hurricane had passed. I understand the Prime Minister's desire to have things done in a manner that is fair and hence the need for reconstruction czar Danville Walker. But some things require urgency. I believe Portland Cottage qualifies for urgent attention.
THREAT OF ILLNESSES
One can understand the fears which were expressed about the threat of illnesses like diarrhoea and vomiting which often occur in situations where there is no clean running water or proper sanitary facilities. The outbreak of disease is very likely and children face the greatest risk in the circumstances. After watching the newscast I recognised that even with relief coming at a snail's pace, the hurricane-ravaged community was in desperate need of leadership.
A week after Ivan had passed there were rotting carcasses including fish, livestock and even a crocodile in the vicinity of the shelter that was highlighted on television. Even from this distance one could virtually smell the stench of death hanging over the community. Surely these people are not waiting for 'dem' to come and clean up the mess. It seems a fairly simple task. A few shovels and some muscles are needed to bury the dead animals.
Too often people sit around in communities waiting for the ubiquitous 'dem' to come and solve problems and the solutions could easily be accomplished through community effort. I cannot forget going to the town of May Pen once and enquiring about the poor signage only to be told by a member of the community "we waiting pan dem fe come from Kingston come put it up." I hope they are still waiting.
In parts of the city post-Ivan clean-up has been slow. In much the same way I see tree trunks and leaves blocking certain major roads. I would like to remind people that this debris can be transformed into mulch and many of their plants could do well with the mulch generated by the storm. In contrast we hear stories of parents and students who went out in their numbers to help clean up schools so the children could get back to the business of learning. We applaud these public-spirited individuals and feel certain that the example they set for their children will inure to the greater good of this country.
HIGH PRAISES
There are also high praises for workers who put their shoulders to the wheel to help return their plants to working condition. Things are not happening at the pace they should but there are many community initiatives which can make life a little more pleasant. People are not doing themselves any favour by sitting around and moping.
Another item of news which gave me concern was the flooding in the Rae Town area, which was clearly aggravated by the action of casting garbage and hurricane debris in the gully.
One could see the frustration etched on Mayor McKenzie's face. He is flabbergasted that despite his best efforts a few people continue to practice unhealthy habits which result in environmental hazards to everyone.
CHANGE OF ATTITUDE
It will take a dramatic change of attitude and again I say leadership. Someone has to emerge in every community who is going to have the energy and dedication to organise people to care about the environment and take the necessary action to so that life can be more liveable for us all.
After the storm had passed I found myself making up little food packages for persons who I feel could have benefited. My appeal to everyone is look around in your kitchen and perhaps your closet there you will find lots of stuff that you can share with someone who is not as fortunate as you are. There is much satisfaction in giving. I know many people are suffering in the wake of Ivan. But don't knock it too much. Sometimes the only way many of us look away from the plates we are juggling in the air is when we are knocked flat on our backs. So look up and look good and help someone today.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who can be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
