Neighbor to Neighbor - St. Croix
Donation protected
Hurricane Maria Blasted St. Croix!
Recently, a series of hurricanes have devastated the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island). We are small and our numbers insignificant and it would be so easy to forget that we exist.
Keep in mind, folks, the Virgin Islands is comprised of islands - no convoys of trucks can reach us, all support must come by land or sea, and the airports and seaports were damaged along with the rest of the islands infrastructures. Currently, most residents of St. Croix do not have power. Water was only recently restored, along with postal service. While the airport has been utilized by the military and for mercy flights to evacuate tourists and the frail, the air port had been closed for commercial flights until recently.
Reliable communications becomes a challenge when there is no power. People have gotten creative and often use car chargers to charge their phone. Those with generators are fortunate to have access to light and household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves etc. Right now I am typing this communication at Viya's business center, a local communications business that has graciously allowed residents a place to make calls and access wifi.
Everyplace you look you see roofless houses and buildings. There are also blue tarps being distributed through the Blue Roof Program. Everyone is signing up for FEMA hoping to recoup a portion of their loss. Some have lost everything. The day to day reality for individuals that do not own generators means daily runs to purchase ice for coolers.
St. Croix's earlier 24 hour curfew has been lifted and due to baseball season has been temporarily extended to begin around 7 or 8 am and extend to 11pm.
The rebuilding and clean up efforts are massive and include individual residents and families attempts to restore their premises to pre-Maria status to the hundreds of specialized workers and relief help working to clear the massive amounts of debris left by hurricane Maria. The situation is dire.
Here are some comments that friends have texted me:
• …There are telephone poles and trees blocking the streets. A lot of people can’t get out of their homes. There are some deaths emergency services can’t get through. A lot of people trapped in their homes. The governor lifted the curfew which has been on since the day of the hurricane for four hours today. You have to have a curfew pass to go out after 4’oclock today. The military is enforcing it along with the police. They’re not expecting to have electricity until sometime next year. The governor cut off the WAPA (Water and Public Authority) water the day of the hurricane. So we have not water and no electricity. Most of the roads are impassable. Especially in Frederiksted. Most of the businesses and homes lost their roof or at least half of it. I could go on but it gets depressing the more I talk about it. “
• …Good morning, it was a nightmare, my roof was lifting and the house has a lot of water. Thank God for life – a lot of destruction. You need to bring you some survival supplies. You take care and thanks for checking. This night was worst than Hugo and comparable to hurricane Marilyn.”
• …I’m glad you are safe. I agree, it was awful! The south west areas got it badly too. Also, I saw _____ yesterday and he is safe but lost his roof.”
This Message from the President of our Unitatian Universalist Fellowship:
• …Maria was tough. We are fine and getting the house back in order. No cell coverage so I am on a hill above us. Hope all did well.”’
This Message from one of our Unitarian Universalist members:
• Today was interesting. The lines for food and gas were horrendous. Hours waiting and most stores ran out of water. A few bad turns today, but staying positive. They say you should keep 3-6 months of food and water in your home. This is a common Mormon practice. You never can tell how things will change in an instant. Governor says we should not expect power back for months. I'm ok and will be for a while. Will be at the shelter tomorrow trying to get people with disabilities registered with FEMA.
Other messages:
• …I'm seeing homes that I've never seen before because the trees and foliage are gone. Love the resilience of Afrakans wherever we are. Folk who've lived thru Hugo (1989) and Marilyn (1995) have said the recovery is much better than then. As a rule folk are helping each other out in innumerable ways: helping securing tarps, ..Everything is cash. No banks or ATM OPEN. Should have kept more reserve $$. Drove around trying to get access to $. No luck. Worried about my HIV patients getting their meds. Have meds for my TB patient for 5 days only (not good.) Praying. One of my ladies had pre/term CTXs. Hospital was able to quiet them down. No ability to save baby. Concerned about 5 pregnant ladies with high risk issues. Had a dream one of my ladies was in a room with others. Went to ✅ on her … a qt. of water have been like manna from heaven. On my way to have my bucket shower.
The Situation is Dire
I left St. Croix after hurricane Irma for a short trip to Atlanta thinking we had missed all the bad weather. Instead, hurricane Marie struck and devastated St. Croix. Eighty percent of island structures have been destroyed or heavily damaged on my island of St. Croix. I have heard from several of the members of the UU Fellowship of St. Croix. Some of them sustained property damage but all survived without any bodily injuries. Seven deaths have been reported on St. Croix thus far. Individuals are still digging out from under ruined houses, downed power lines, telephone lines and trees. If you have seen any of the videos posted they are heartbreaking.
Please remember us in your joys and concerns, please call our name in prayer and meditation and please send donations for our Neighbor to Neighbor Plan.
And thank you for thinking of us.
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix is forming work teams with community partners (Congregation B'nai Or; Center for the Study of Spirituality & Professionalism and OneLove at the University of the Virgin Islands; Liberty Place; Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Council; Women's Coalition; Men's Coalition; Pride Inc; Clean Sweep Frederiksted and the Interfaith Coalition) and other non-profit organizations to help families and individuals rebuild after Hurricane Maria.
An assessment of St. Croix determined that Frederiksted, the Western section was hit the hardest. As a result, our work crews have focused on "wellness checks" and clean up. Wellness checks include an assessment to identify at risk individuals, and their needs for any follow up. Follow up may include attention to the home to help clean up and organize contents. Checking for mold is another important task. The work crews clear debris and determine what is needed to help restore and stabilize the home situation.
Assessments are compiled and shared with other agencies such as FEMA, Red Cross, Frederiksted Health Center and Juan Luis Hospital. Discussion is underway to close Juan Luis Hospital, the sole hospital on St. Croix. Our work teams have been dispatched with chain saws, weedwackers, power saws, jack hammers and old fashion labor to help clear debris. St. Croix's private taxis (vans) have become operational, however, the public transportation systems, except for the paratransit (for disabled) is still not operational.
You donations will help fund the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and help rebuild and restore beautiful St. Croix and the life of the Island.
I encourage each of you to give what you can to help hurricane victims in the Virgin Islands.
Items and Supplies for Neighbor to Neighbor Program to be purchased with donations:
2 Bobcats - for removal of debris
2 Large waste bins
6 water vacuums - 1 for ea. team
300 heavy duty trash bags - 50 for ea. team
18 or 3 chain saws per team;
12 or 2 generators per team
30 hard hats for teams and 25 more for volunteers to work alongside team members
30 pairs of heavy duty work gloves and 25 for volunteers
10 gas containers - 2 per team - (for individuals unable to access distribution centers, each team will have several gallons available for vehicles and tools (generators)
300 hundred gallons of Bleach (1 cup per 5 gallons of water) -
300 quart bottles - Hydrogen Peroxide (oral debriding agent for mouth wash & first aid antiseptic; anti fungal and less toxic than bleach)
300 gallons of water
56 first aid kits (1 for ea team member and 50 for families & individuals)
80 work vests (30 for ea team member and 50 for volunteers)
55 goggles (1 for ea team member and 25 for volunteers)
80 face masks (1 for ea team member and 50 for volunteers)
water filter tablets
50 solar operated fans (for elderly & disabled)
100 cases of non BPA lined foods - beans, tuna fish, soup, mixed veggies, sardines
80 Flashlights ( 30 for team members and 50 for volunteers)
300 C & D Batteries - for team members and volunteers
gas allowances (for generators, vehicles)
50 tents - for individuals whose houses are inhabitable
Recently, a series of hurricanes have devastated the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island). We are small and our numbers insignificant and it would be so easy to forget that we exist.
Keep in mind, folks, the Virgin Islands is comprised of islands - no convoys of trucks can reach us, all support must come by land or sea, and the airports and seaports were damaged along with the rest of the islands infrastructures. Currently, most residents of St. Croix do not have power. Water was only recently restored, along with postal service. While the airport has been utilized by the military and for mercy flights to evacuate tourists and the frail, the air port had been closed for commercial flights until recently.
Reliable communications becomes a challenge when there is no power. People have gotten creative and often use car chargers to charge their phone. Those with generators are fortunate to have access to light and household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves etc. Right now I am typing this communication at Viya's business center, a local communications business that has graciously allowed residents a place to make calls and access wifi.
Everyplace you look you see roofless houses and buildings. There are also blue tarps being distributed through the Blue Roof Program. Everyone is signing up for FEMA hoping to recoup a portion of their loss. Some have lost everything. The day to day reality for individuals that do not own generators means daily runs to purchase ice for coolers.
St. Croix's earlier 24 hour curfew has been lifted and due to baseball season has been temporarily extended to begin around 7 or 8 am and extend to 11pm.
The rebuilding and clean up efforts are massive and include individual residents and families attempts to restore their premises to pre-Maria status to the hundreds of specialized workers and relief help working to clear the massive amounts of debris left by hurricane Maria. The situation is dire.
Here are some comments that friends have texted me:
• …There are telephone poles and trees blocking the streets. A lot of people can’t get out of their homes. There are some deaths emergency services can’t get through. A lot of people trapped in their homes. The governor lifted the curfew which has been on since the day of the hurricane for four hours today. You have to have a curfew pass to go out after 4’oclock today. The military is enforcing it along with the police. They’re not expecting to have electricity until sometime next year. The governor cut off the WAPA (Water and Public Authority) water the day of the hurricane. So we have not water and no electricity. Most of the roads are impassable. Especially in Frederiksted. Most of the businesses and homes lost their roof or at least half of it. I could go on but it gets depressing the more I talk about it. “
• …Good morning, it was a nightmare, my roof was lifting and the house has a lot of water. Thank God for life – a lot of destruction. You need to bring you some survival supplies. You take care and thanks for checking. This night was worst than Hugo and comparable to hurricane Marilyn.”
• …I’m glad you are safe. I agree, it was awful! The south west areas got it badly too. Also, I saw _____ yesterday and he is safe but lost his roof.”
This Message from the President of our Unitatian Universalist Fellowship:
• …Maria was tough. We are fine and getting the house back in order. No cell coverage so I am on a hill above us. Hope all did well.”’
This Message from one of our Unitarian Universalist members:
• Today was interesting. The lines for food and gas were horrendous. Hours waiting and most stores ran out of water. A few bad turns today, but staying positive. They say you should keep 3-6 months of food and water in your home. This is a common Mormon practice. You never can tell how things will change in an instant. Governor says we should not expect power back for months. I'm ok and will be for a while. Will be at the shelter tomorrow trying to get people with disabilities registered with FEMA.
Other messages:
• …I'm seeing homes that I've never seen before because the trees and foliage are gone. Love the resilience of Afrakans wherever we are. Folk who've lived thru Hugo (1989) and Marilyn (1995) have said the recovery is much better than then. As a rule folk are helping each other out in innumerable ways: helping securing tarps, ..Everything is cash. No banks or ATM OPEN. Should have kept more reserve $$. Drove around trying to get access to $. No luck. Worried about my HIV patients getting their meds. Have meds for my TB patient for 5 days only (not good.) Praying. One of my ladies had pre/term CTXs. Hospital was able to quiet them down. No ability to save baby. Concerned about 5 pregnant ladies with high risk issues. Had a dream one of my ladies was in a room with others. Went to ✅ on her … a qt. of water have been like manna from heaven. On my way to have my bucket shower.
The Situation is Dire
I left St. Croix after hurricane Irma for a short trip to Atlanta thinking we had missed all the bad weather. Instead, hurricane Marie struck and devastated St. Croix. Eighty percent of island structures have been destroyed or heavily damaged on my island of St. Croix. I have heard from several of the members of the UU Fellowship of St. Croix. Some of them sustained property damage but all survived without any bodily injuries. Seven deaths have been reported on St. Croix thus far. Individuals are still digging out from under ruined houses, downed power lines, telephone lines and trees. If you have seen any of the videos posted they are heartbreaking.
Please remember us in your joys and concerns, please call our name in prayer and meditation and please send donations for our Neighbor to Neighbor Plan.
And thank you for thinking of us.
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix is forming work teams with community partners (Congregation B'nai Or; Center for the Study of Spirituality & Professionalism and OneLove at the University of the Virgin Islands; Liberty Place; Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Council; Women's Coalition; Men's Coalition; Pride Inc; Clean Sweep Frederiksted and the Interfaith Coalition) and other non-profit organizations to help families and individuals rebuild after Hurricane Maria.
An assessment of St. Croix determined that Frederiksted, the Western section was hit the hardest. As a result, our work crews have focused on "wellness checks" and clean up. Wellness checks include an assessment to identify at risk individuals, and their needs for any follow up. Follow up may include attention to the home to help clean up and organize contents. Checking for mold is another important task. The work crews clear debris and determine what is needed to help restore and stabilize the home situation.
Assessments are compiled and shared with other agencies such as FEMA, Red Cross, Frederiksted Health Center and Juan Luis Hospital. Discussion is underway to close Juan Luis Hospital, the sole hospital on St. Croix. Our work teams have been dispatched with chain saws, weedwackers, power saws, jack hammers and old fashion labor to help clear debris. St. Croix's private taxis (vans) have become operational, however, the public transportation systems, except for the paratransit (for disabled) is still not operational.
You donations will help fund the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and help rebuild and restore beautiful St. Croix and the life of the Island.
I encourage each of you to give what you can to help hurricane victims in the Virgin Islands.
Items and Supplies for Neighbor to Neighbor Program to be purchased with donations:
2 Bobcats - for removal of debris
2 Large waste bins
6 water vacuums - 1 for ea. team
300 heavy duty trash bags - 50 for ea. team
18 or 3 chain saws per team;
12 or 2 generators per team
30 hard hats for teams and 25 more for volunteers to work alongside team members
30 pairs of heavy duty work gloves and 25 for volunteers
10 gas containers - 2 per team - (for individuals unable to access distribution centers, each team will have several gallons available for vehicles and tools (generators)
300 hundred gallons of Bleach (1 cup per 5 gallons of water) -
300 quart bottles - Hydrogen Peroxide (oral debriding agent for mouth wash & first aid antiseptic; anti fungal and less toxic than bleach)
300 gallons of water
56 first aid kits (1 for ea team member and 50 for families & individuals)
80 work vests (30 for ea team member and 50 for volunteers)
55 goggles (1 for ea team member and 25 for volunteers)
80 face masks (1 for ea team member and 50 for volunteers)
water filter tablets
50 solar operated fans (for elderly & disabled)
100 cases of non BPA lined foods - beans, tuna fish, soup, mixed veggies, sardines
80 Flashlights ( 30 for team members and 50 for volunteers)
300 C & D Batteries - for team members and volunteers
gas allowances (for generators, vehicles)
50 tents - for individuals whose houses are inhabitable
Organizer
Qiyamah A. Rahman
Organizer
Kingshill, VI
