Residents on Union Island ready to rebuild

by Christina Smith

Union Island residents say they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of building materials, machinery and workmen to the island to begin the rebuilding process following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1.

SEARCHLIGHT visited the island on July 9 where residents were busy clearing debris from around homes. Workers from the St Vincent Electricity Company Ltd. (VINLEC) were also on the ground conducting assessments.

Residents in the community of Ashton said they are anxious to get the rebuilding underway and identified galvanize, portable generators, solar lights, power banks and temporary shelters, as well as money as priority items.

“We need the Ashton Port be rearranged so that we have access in and out, deliveries can come without hindrance and of course the general clean-up campaign. We need the effort of the excavators to collect all the heavy stuff,” a resident named ‘Happy’ said.

The remains of the newly built primary school which was destroyed by Beryl.

Disaster management officials confirmed to SEARCHLIGHT that 16 generators had arrived on the island this week, and more are expected to be sent down in the coming days.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves told SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, July 11, that two private contractors have been secured to commence the clean-up of the island. He noted that the repair work will at first be focused on certain facilities which are required to be put to use immediately such as the clinic. Work is also to be done early on the roof of the Ashton Learning Resource Center which is currently being used as an emergency shelter.

During the visit SEARCHLIGHT recognized the strong stench of dead animals, and residents say many stray animals and cattle perished as a result of the hurricane and are decomposing under the piles of debris across the island. They expressed health concerns and the possibility of their water sources becoming contaminated.

At the Ashton Learning Resource Center, 60 persons who are currently homeless say they are looking forward to start to rebuild.

“This hurricane…leave most of us in Union Island homeless. After the hurricane, I walk around and tears was flowing because everybody lose everything. The people in Union Island- we need a lot of help. We need blocks, lumber, galvanize, cement, and we need steel so we are able to build back our houses.” Venus Porter told SEARCHLIGHT.

Business owner, FitzGerald Hutchinson explained how he housed residents who lost their homes to Beryl. He said most people on the island are being housed in downstairs living areas as the hurricane either damaged or ripped off most of the house roofs on the island.

“I could not imagine such devastation. In [Bardo] every house roof went flying. A 40-foot container moved and went about 500 feet on the other side. You couldn’t see outside, it was totally white like snow.”

Hutchinson said he is optimistic Union Island can be back to some semblance of normalcy within 12 to 18 months. But this, of course, depends on the availability of workmen and materials.

“Once we get the help from the government; we in Union Island just that little extra help for the things we cannot do for ourselves for example, the materials, the galvanize, lumber and workmen. I say, give or take, a year and a half. More hands on deck are needed.”

Union Island is one of the Southern Grenadine islands which sustained the most damage from the Category 4 hurricane. It is estimated that the availability of electricity island wide will not be possible until sometime in 2025.