Confusion at Nassau airport hamper response

AFTER arriving at Nassau Airport, volunteers from NGO Samaritan’s Purse hoped to quickly reach areas devastated by Hurricane Dorian, but instead waited hours under the blazing sun for permission to take off.

Their experience, like that of various other NGOs, reflects the confusion at the airport, in the northern areas of the archipelago that were devastated by the storm, and in the air.

“We landed yesterday with a DC8 aircraft loaded with 30-plus tons of critical relief supplies,” said Alyssa Benson, spokeswoman for the North Carolina-based Christian organization.

The 18-member team of volunteers is waiting for permission to take off in a plane and a helicopter for the Abacos and Grand Bahama, the islands hit hardest by Dorian, which made landfall as a devastating Category 5 hurricane.

“Our team of pilots are trying to get permission to fly to Abaco and Grand Bahama,” said Benson, avoiding a question about possible frustration.

“We just want to get this to the people in need, make sure we do everything the right way,” she said.