News of The Abacos

Town Helps Fire Victims
By Isobel Sherman

During Christmas week there was a tremendous outpouring of aid to the victims of the fire in the Mud. In all 14 homes were totally destroyed and twenty-eight families were left homeless. The Marsh Harbour area began relief efforts immediately. The Social Welfare Committee met on December 21st and plans to temporarily house the families in the old Marsh Harbour primary school were made.

Donations of clothing, bedding, food and household utensils came in from all over Abaco. Places where donations could be dropped ranged from the Abaco constituency office of Robert Sweeting MP for South Abaco, Creole Gospel Chapel, Trumpet Assembly of God and St Francis de Sales Catholic Church. One church gave each family $200 prior to Christmas to buy what they needed. On the 29th of December Catholic Bishop Lawrence Burke accompanied by Cardinal Tomko from the Vatican made a visit to Abaco to see the Abaco parish and viewed the destruction caused by the fire. A senior officer from Social Services Department was on Abaco to see that the people were being taken care of and make recommendations.

Just as Abaco was able to send three container loads of supplies and clothing to the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua and Honduras, Abaconians once again pulled together to help the victims of the fire in the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. As of January 2nd unconfirmed reports say that there is still a need for temporary housing for some of the victims of the fire. According to Pastor Carleton Dorsette in an interview on ZNS Northern Bahamas, he stated there was a family of nine which must vacate its temporary housing by January 4. Pastor Dorsette was not available for clarification.

Mr. Robert Sweeting, MP for South Abaco, was contacted by phone on the 2nd of January and he said as far as he knew all of the families had temporary shelter. He explained that the response of clothing and other household items literally filled his constituency office.

Many local persons as well as churches did their part to help the fire victims. Father Stan Kolosa of St. Francis de Sales Church stated, "The clothing, donations of food, money and other supplies was more than enough for the victims of the fire." The Seventh Day Adventist Church not only housed a family until the beginning January but had a Christmas dinner for the families of the fire as well according to Mr. Willard Cooper, a member of the church. Mr. Cooper said many of the fire victims attended Creole Gospel Chapel and Feed Thy Sheep Church which is located in the Mud.
Due to the extensive vandalism of the Marsh Harbour Primary School, local government would have to spend many thousands of dollars to fix part of the school as temporary housing. It was felt that the money would be better spent on helping them with a permanent location. A solution to the housing problem which would be a permanent solution is still being sought.

Generous Response
By Stephanie Humblestone

On January 5 a second meeting of the Fire Relief Committee met to discuss both short-term and long-term recommendations. The meeting included representatives of local and central government, pastors of several churches and businessmen who employ Haitian immigrants.

Ms. Charlamae Fernander, Chief Welfare Officer at Social Services, assured the group that, "contrary to popular opinion" there has been a "tremendous response" from people on Abaco to assist in the plight of the Haitian nationals.

Among the many which have helped are St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Hope Town Association, Social Services and private individuals. Monetary funds which have been pouring in since the disaster to a fire relief account at CIBC Bank are largely being used to aid victims "get on their feet." A prominent church collected $30,000 for fire relief use from the community, $20,000 of which is being turned over to the Fire Relief Fund to be used at their discretion. Immediately after the fire each displaced family was given $200 to be used to make the Christmas more enjoyable. As it stands now there are still eight families who require permanent housing. Mrs. Fernander appeals to the people of Marsh Harbour to come forward with offers of apartments for rent. She stated, too, that "contrary to public opinion" members of these families work and are able to maintain rented accommodation. The long term and ongoing problem of housing members of the squatter community whose homes rest on mud dredged from the Marsh Harbour channel is now being addressed. Town Councillor Yvonne Albury Key has worked tirelessly over the past year to provide suggestions for alternatives. Town Committee members have made proposals to the Prime Minister. As yet nothing has been determined. Last November the Committee was asked for a more "definitive" plan by the Prime Minister. The fire may well have crystallized the seriousness of the situation. "At the moment we are addressing the immediate problem of re-housing the victims," said Mrs. Fernander, who assures us that the larger issue has not been overlooked.

It is quite out of the question for any of the victims to re-build in the burned out area which is, after all, Crown Land. To ensure this does not happen, suppliers have been advised not to deliver construction materials into the fire-damaged areas. At this meeting it was suggested that emergency housing of a prefabricated nature available in the United States should be investigated. Island Administrator Everette Hart stressed the need for temporary and permanent low cost housing in general but reminded the committee that any policy made now must apply tomorrow. Use of the old primary school, if made habitable, came under discussion but on reflection would prove too costly for a temporary solution.

Gurth Russell of Abaco Exporters and Importers has offered to assist his employees who suffered as a result of the fire. He expressed willingness to loan money for the purchase of low cost land. Jackson McIntosh, District Education Officer felt that a list of affordable land should be compiled. He felt too that integration rather than separation should be encouraged. Over the past three weeks donations of clothes have been forthcoming. For those wishing to contribute, please contact Ms. Fernander at 367-2246 or one of the churches listed above.