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‘Help us fix our houses' - Shelter resident tells Gov't

- Shelter Boxes provided to assist with temporary housing for hurricane affected residents
October 15th, 2017 | Tags: Shelter box Rotary Club temporary housing
Many persons were left homeless in the Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO
The first Shelter Box being installed in Frenchman's Cay on Friday October 13, 2017 which was provided by the Rotary Club of Tortola to assist with temporary housing for Hurricane affected persons. Photo: GIS
The first Shelter Box being installed in Frenchman's Cay on Friday October 13, 2017 which was provided by the Rotary Club of Tortola to assist with temporary housing for Hurricane affected persons. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Since the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Irma, many persons throughout the territory were left homeless and are currently residing in shelters across the Virgin Islands.

However, it was reported that a number of shelters have been asking persons to leave with nowhere to go, although this news site could not confirm this information before publication time.

Meanwhile, according to a press release from the Government of the Virgin Islands, "Shelter Boxes are provided and installed by the Rotary Clubs in an effort to assist with temporary housing as a form of relief for those left in need of housing as a result of the passage of Hurricane Irma."

The first Shelter Box was installed Friday October 13, 2017 in Frenchman’s Cay.

Mixed views from shelter residents

In an interview with Peta-Gaye R. Lewis, a single mother of three, she stated that she saw a picture of the shelter box and thought it was a "good idea" but needed more information on how it would actually work.

"My first thought when I saw this small thing was that if myself and my three children can fit inside and where is the bathroom? Also, how would we eat in terms of if food would be provided or we would have to find our own food," while noting that a lot of questions need to be answered.

Speaking with another resident, who is currently living at the Multipurpose Sports Complex and wished to remain anonymous, they commented that the government cannot allow people to live in tents indefinitely.

"Personally, you not going to see me living in a tent for God knows how long. The government need to work on helping people to fix up their houses. Look how much supplies I see coming in this place and I notice them just sitting there collecting dust. This is crazy. This is nonsense," said the frustrated resident.

The resident continued, "I want to see some of those NDP government people live in a tent before they make us live in it."

Meanwhile, Deanna M. Grant told our news reporter that living in a tent would be a "new experience" for her.

"I have never been camping and living in that tent would be like camping for me. I don’t know if I would want to stay in that for too long but I guess it will have to do if they run me out the shelter," explained Ms Grant.

A young man who is temporarily living in a shelter with his family said: "I lost everything in the Hurricane. I have no job and I have a wife and two children. If they give me one of those shelter boxes, I would be grateful."

8 Responses to “‘Help us fix our houses' - Shelter resident tells Gov't”

  • Relief supply investigation (15/10/2017, 12:42) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need a relief supply destribution investigation.. Too much wrong still going on in this place.. A few people getting too much while others hardly getting or not getting.. . So So sad.. like we need another Irma for some people to change...
  • VICKIE (15/10/2017, 15:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When the earth quake hit Haiti they had get small prefab houses from Miami. I think they will be better than tents. Look how much rain we are getting the tents are better than nothing but they are not safe at this time.
  • ABC (15/10/2017, 15:57) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This government is heart less putting out the home less
  • This is the trend all over (15/10/2017, 19:56) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    supplies and stuff are given for those in need but those who are not in need gets everything indeed.If you are to go to the aboard of some of the distributors you may think you have entered a next relief camp
  • just asking (16/10/2017, 12:02) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    why would government have to help fixed someone home don't people have insurance or savings (just in case funds) anymore.
    • show some compassion (17/10/2017, 18:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some individuals who are in low wage jobs were barely making it before the hurricane. They may have been already living paycheck to paycheck and one paycheck away from being homeless and Irma was the straw that broke the camel's back. So please show a little more compassion for your brother or sister. Never know when you might be in that position and need a hand up. Much love and one love...BVI STRONG
  • go figure (16/10/2017, 15:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Based on the mindless ingratitude and simple ignorance put forth by some of these people in the article, their condition is no fault of Hurricane Irma and no charity could ever undo their perpetual malady.
  • *Hmm (16/10/2017, 21:03) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a set of ungrateful, selfish, self centered ppl. So help me God this hurricane hasn't taught many of us anything. Our hearts & minds are as dutty & hard as they were before.

    Based off the comments of the ppl in the article I gather that many of these are persons who weren't paying rent before & have their own homes hence why they talking bout gov need to fix ppl roofs. Why must I ask? They already relax the duty on several supplies coming in to the territory including building supplies so you're saying they need to now provide the labor to & put back ppl roofs for free? How about helping yourselves. I blame the gov, they spoon feed & spoil the ppl of this country so bad that now they can't get them off their breasts. They expect them to do any & everything


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