RELIEF, TEARS ON IRMA-HIT ISLAND “I
French president visits disaster site as residents struggle for emergency supplies
’M hungry and thirsty,” said a pregnant woman, unable to hold back tears as she threw herself on a packet of almonds and a bottle of water given to her at an emergency relief post in the French territory here.
Hurricane Irma hit last week, leaving 15 dead on the island and neighbouring Saint Barthelemy.
President Emmanuel Macron arrived on a visit here on Tuesday, with anger growing over looting and lawlessness.
There were many tired faces at the relief post — a truck — strained from waiting for handouts to begin. At the front of the line, the Red Cross formed a security cordon to contain the surging press of people.
“These goods come from the reserve supplies of a company. A water truck should follow,” said Joachim, who was in charge of organising distribution for the non-governmental organisation, who gave only his first name.
In the relief truck, firemen bustled about, getting supplies ready for distribution.
Others supervised the crowd, searching for the most vulnerable people — the elderly, pregnant women and children — those who needed to be served first. They handed out fresh produce, such as eggs, chicken and milk.
The line began to form well before the mid-morning arrival of the truck. Some people had already been waiting for more than two hours in overwhelming heat.
“We heard there would be a distribution by emergency radio, 91.1,” said Pierre-Richard Gaspard.
There is a lack of food generally, but drinking water is the most urgent need.
Sandrine had been waiting in line a long time and said she was hot and thirsty.
“There is not even water. What are we going to do? I have nothing left at home,” she said as she started to cry.
A friend next to her took her in her arms and cradled her, saying: “It’s okay, we’ll help each other.” In the queue, tension rose.
“We are scrambling from distribution point to point,” shouts a woman.
“When we arrive there, we have to go elsewhere, because there is nothing left. We do not have a car, no house, no more water, no more food!” she added.
An hour later, at the distribution point, the queue has decreased and the truck was almost empty. All those who waited were served. They left with a small smile, grateful, arms laden with food. But without water. AFP