KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministerial delegation, headed by Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, was not able to visit earthquake stricken Haiti as planned on Friday because of problems at the international airport there, a senior Jamaica official has said.
Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the plane taking the delegation into Haiti was unable to land at the international airport in Port au Prince because of the number of air relief flights coming to the country.
Apart from Skerrit, who is also Chairman of the 15-member CARICOM grouping of which Haiti is a member, the other members of the delegation included Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson and the head of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency
According to Jackson, the pilot was told that it was impossible to land and that he would have to circle the airport for at least three hours before gaining clearance to land.
He said it was then decided that the CARICOM delegation would abort their visit to Haiti, which was hit by a powerful earthquake on Tuesday leaving a trail of death and destruction.
He said that the delegation, which had earlier met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had visited Haiti on Thursday, is now on its way back to Barbados.
Jackson said however that Jamaica and the other Caribbean countries would continue sending relief aid to Haiti.
Everyone has something to say, my mother always say if you have nothing good to say, shut up!!!!!!! I would advice readers of DNO to put politics aside and read CARICUM CARIGO comment on 1-16-2010 @ 6:30 one day this may be Dominica and we all have love ones we care about in out beloved country. Peace
CARICOMCARIGO
I understand the multiple words with the various suggestions and ideas, personally these should be transmitted and posted directly to the Powers that Be in Dominica. Perhaps you would like me to do this for you. Action speaks louder than words, and believe me GWATANCE acts
Confirmed reports coming out of Haiti is that the big boys who are sending aid, doctors and recovery teams are concentrating on rescuing there own citizens first while ordinary Haitians are being by- passed. The majority of these teams are concentrating on “high class” section of Port au Prince, while the poor areas where the help is most desperately needed is left unattended. This is causing great concern among the ordinary people suffering over there.
So much for the ‘relief effort’ (led by everybody’s hero nation, the USA) that has been receiving so much praise from contributors to this blog.
I think that this was a bad decision on the caricom leaders part. WAIT UNTIL LATER..Communicate with the haitian leader by phone if possible but STAY OUT OF THE RESCUE MISSION WAY. Wat the caricom ministers was going to do take off therir suit and go dig for survivors . Well i have a job for them in haiti..CARICOM LEADERS GO BACK TO HAITI AND GATHER THE DEAD AND BURY THEM…NOW THERE IS SOMETHING YOU GUYS CAN DO IN HAITI..but remember you all will have to go through the dominican republic and walk, because at this moment nobody have time for you guys to come and flex your muscles
Dead bodies in the streets; Destroyed physical infrastructure; destroyed communication infrastructure; no government.
After a disaster of such magnitude a reasonable person would think that what is needed is doctors, nurses, search and rescue personnel FIRST before anybody else. The President of Haiti HIMSELF stated that most of his government is unaccounted for. The question is: what was the purpose of the CARICOM delegation? Surely solidarity can be expressed in absence likewise as in presence. I’m sure the delegation’s effort was in good faith, but what was the MISSION of the trip? What were their expectations and what did they intend to accomplish? Couldn’t they have prepared a statement instead, and send it along with food and water via a cargo ship? Or if they were so hell-bent on being on the ground, why didn’t they make arrangements to land in Dom. Rep. and travel to Haiti over-ground via the Dom. Rep.? Or even better, couldn’t PM Skerrit request a helicopter from Chavez? I’m thinking the Venezuelans would be more than willing to help. There are more questions than answers. I hope that these leaders will consider the PROS and CONS and apply SWOT analysis next time they make such decisions. GOD BLESS HAITI!!! CHABAY FORT!
Hilary Clinton visited Haiti on Saturday (January 16) and I am sure there will be no healthy discussion about it if the news item was posted on DNO.
Now the chairman of CARICOM wanted to pay a visit and everybody is crying about it: that it is a photo op, our leaders have inflated ego and so on.
When are we going to get out of the “small island” mentality that whatever foreigners do is right but whenever our locals do something, it is so wrong?
I am amazed to read some of the contributions on this blog and realize the level of small mindedness among our people.
Gwatance,
Dont think all off us are all square pegs in round holes, some of us do have some workable solutions…………although no plan is full proof
Here are some we could adopt , Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
1. An international airport, most Aid relief comes in big bulk and it will cut down critical time for delivery, we would not want to rely too heavily on LIAT now, would we? An international Airport is not only for stimulating tourism, but it assist in our food safty, Aid relief, protocol, and connection with the international community.
2. Do a study to attain one of the most safe areas or a strategic area(s) in Dominica to construct a bulk storage area(s) where supplies like food, medicine, blankets, sleeping bags, tents, water, can be stored, remember we are also prone to hurrican and floods and as you say we always experiencing tremours and there are a few active volcanos. ( We can get the Tents from LIBIA!!!!!) I think we have an abassador to Libia the Right Hon………
3. Open an emergency fund account in NBD if it dont have one yet. And i mean “emergency fund”. We have donors from all over let them contribute something, and when ever the country makes a $. save 2 cents, “put it inthe fund”.
4. Give some scholarships to some policemen, firemen, nurses, doctors, administrators, weather reporters, to train in emergency response, social mobilization, counciling, disaster protocol and response. China, Venezula, Brazil, Australia and the US are good places to sought those schlarship.
5. Give some teeth to the disater preparedness office. Give it a sound earthquake proof, hurricane proof, and flood proof building, with modern relevant euipment, and efficent Human resources.
6. Train the special branch not only to detect drugs but to administer drugs in cases of these emergencies, train them in riot control, peace keeping and disater response.
7. Encourage new homeowners to adapt more efficient building codes, that i think are long long overdue, Mackenzie can help in that effort.
8. Lobby hard for more ambulances, the country is spread out over a wide mass, effiecient response is vital. While you doing that, see if you can buy or begg for one or perhaps two use helicptors from the red cross, china also can donate a few, we have a few good fire and police officers that can be trained to drive and fly them.
9. Hospitals and major health centers should be re-enforce properly equiped an staffed like the one in Marigot, Grandby, Laplain, and Castle Bruce and one on the west cost and in the hole from Tan- Tan to Capuchin which always gets cut off from the island in serious disaters. One in Veille case is also needed they in a different geographic zone themselves and could be esily cut off.
10. Let the diaspora mobilise all the aids and supplies, equipment they can and able to get.
11. Media equipment and a trained media personel, should be trained in disaster communication, and PR. “Start with Gwatance he have a good flow for words, and a “nack” for spin”.
12. Conduct disater drills, every quarter of the year…………..educate the people about disaster preparedness, safety and response,make sure there is a disaster kit in every home, Not only propane gas and stove. Train the bigger cadet corps in disaster response so they could help the elderly, and disable, “it would be good to see them in their fatigue after a disaster, They could be what the US call the national guard. they are now in all four zones of the country make them uselful”.
Gwatance, i have more but i thought i could share these with you and all our good readers and contributors of DNO, you could add some and others could add some also. DNO could post it or send it through the diplomatic bag to the powers that be.
My fellow Dominicans i really feel sorry for all those bias people commenting here.
We say we are educated but are behaving like jackalls.
People include politics into everything. When are we going to stop all this and really think of a way to help another Caricom partner?
I guess if the PM did not made this gesture, there would not be enough post in DA or Haiti to crucify him. He deserve kudos for making an effort.
DAMN IF HE DO AND DAMN IF HE DON’T
My people don’t be too busy to criticize. One never knows: One of these days it may be your son or daughter in that position.
Yeah prophet2 no prob, I just try to lively up de vibes….inside here serious like de CNN situation room, I like to take a little kicks sometimes….ease up de tension.
I believe it was a concesus decision by the Caricom Member States to try to show personal concern with the appearance of the delegation including our Prime Minister to the devastated Haiti. I believe it is normal practice in any such situation, the Heads(King Queen,President or whosoever) make such a gesture to show solidarity with the unfortunate people. It is unfortunate due to the Global response and the enormity of the damage to the Ports and Airport which made it difficult for rapid delivery of much needed items. If this generous effort was not made, I know there are factions who would critisize
The critics I hope will understand that Dominica could be in a similar situation, with the continuous tremors we are expriencing. Try to think of means and ways to alleviate our rescue if we find ourselves in such a traumatic position. Please note, this delegation was travelling with the intention of giving added sustainance support OF COURSE THERE WILL BE CRITICS, AND IN SUCH CASES THESE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL NOT LIFT A FINGER TO HELP HIS FELLOW MEN
The best decision that the Caricom leaders can make right now in order to help out Haiti is to put together a good team of SEARCH AND RESCUE people, all of the islands can send some DEFENSE FORCE, POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN. The food distribution calls for alot of order. I think the CARICOM LEADERS can make a difference it that area cause the UN PEACEMAKERS CAN’T HANDLE THAT ALONE. God forbid but from the likes of thing in the coming weeks if not days there will be CHAOS… the people are hungry and in despair.and a desperate person is ready and willing to take any risk. On another hand it was a very good gesture from the LEADERS IT SHOWS CONCERN.
PS: 46 says.. God is Haiti’s refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble, Haitians do not fear though the earth give way and the mountain fall into the heart of the sea. God is within Haiti they will not fall. God is going to help HAITI at the break of day. Hold strong my brothers and sisters God will take care of you. Peace in the mist of the storm…
Breaking News
In cast readers here missed it………… It came on CNN News Scroll at about 2.00pm ……… The Hatain PM has signed over Authourty and control of the International Airport to the US. I hope we as a caribbean people will put down our party colours and puppet master mentality and educate ourselves in the wider workings of the world.
And yes……….. even our good intentions could bring out our inefficencies.
@ Map ah Haiti. I was not being ignorant at all my friend, I was being very realistic. I did not say for Caricom not to try to assist, but to go there now will be more publicity than beneficial. It is almost impossible to enter Haiti with vital aid, much less to go sight seeing. I am not trying to blast the leaders but thats how it is, so don’t come on here ranting about my comment when it is indeed fact.
Ass…
Irie, once again you’re killing me with humor…lol..thanks, I haven’t had a laugh in 3 days.
What does Skerrit and the others really think they can accomplish by going to Haiti now? Let’s be realistic.
Deecee – Hillary Clinton is going to the airport in Haiti to give support to her American workers and will be back out immediately so that she does not disrupt the aid effort. Don’t you listen to the news? FYI, she is more important than the three stooges who did not have enough sense to figure out how they were going to land their plane before taking off.
When someone can tell me what Skerrit and the others hope(d) to accomplish by this ill-timed visit, then I can maybe change my mind. But for people like me who have been glued to the television since the evening of the quake, I see that they can do nothing but inflate their already oversized egos a little bit more. All Haitians want now are food, water, medical care, shelter and to be able to find their loved ones. They do not need people with a heightened sense of self importance who cannot make a dent to their immediate needs taking sight seeing tours.
Caricom is not about ministers attending meetings and doing very little afterwards but about people. The population of Caricom is 17 million. 7 million live in the other member States and Haiti all by itself has a population of 10 million Caricom people or about 60% of Caricom’s population. Providing help is not just about sending water and food but of coordinating with the Haitian leaders as to the real solutions now and the way forward.
What was the mission of this delegation. Doesn’t make sense to me. The people of Haiti need a lot of help, not Caribbean leaders to assess the scene. It is very clear that the situation is as bad as it gets. Send whatever help that you all can (people, water etc), and stop trying to look for self glory.
seems like they didnt look at the news and check air traffic around haiti before they went on thier field trip with suitcases……. and no aid reliefz. hmmm it happened on tuesday..they went there on friday..with no food or water to distribute..
Haiti is part of Caricom. It is most vital that the chairman of Caricom get there now. In our region the chairman is even more important than the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. These are our brothers and sisters. Try a helicopter from Chavez to land somewhere or go through the Dominican Republic or bum a ride on a US plane but get there. It is not good enough to give up because of inconvenience and come back to home comfort. I am always amazed how we keep missing the point and burying our heads into political talk.
It was a bad decision to go in the first place. Technical people should have been charged with the responsibility to make contact and determine their needs. Our Caribbean politicians have a huge ego and inflated sense of importance. I guess they enjoyed their Friday afternoon outing after all.
Hmmmm,
the label you put on jah bless is not best suited for you. If Dominica had an international airport, the PM would have left Domininca late Wednesday with less stops and make it to Haiti early enough while everyone else was making their way in. That is the point. SOT
i think thats unfortunate since i belive soon they are going to call on caricom o step in, and ask creole speaking people like Dominicans to coming and help. caricom should have a team on the ground.
I hope the CARICOM MEMBERS SATE WILL EVENTUALY SEND MEDICAL PERSONEEL TO HELP REBULD HAITI. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE NEWS GIANT , BBC AND CNN. NOT HEARING NOTHING REPORTING ON THE NEWS . THE CARIBBEAN IS KNOW INTERNATIONALLY
When I heard the PM was on his way to Haiti, I wondered whether he was being realistic about the whole event, whether he was updated with the events of the Disaster. I wondered what was the purpose of he being in Haiti at this time – I also wondered, who advises the PM on such decisions. Any right thinking person knows that right now, the immediate need for Haiti is aid, – like food, water, medicine, etc, Doctors and Nurses, recue teams – Does Mr. Skerrit fit on that list???? Probably he was about to go there with his pychology expertise to council the people – right now they do not even need that.
Some bona fide aid workers had to circle for three hours at the airport before being turned back – they could not land. There is caos at the airport. I guess if Mr. Skerrit really wants to be in Haiti, he can probably use a parachute. And even if he lands safely, he will be stranded just like the Haitians in dire need. Mr. Skerrit in future, try to understand the dynamics of disasters before trying to be HERO. That was laughable!!!!! Can you move concrete to safe a child? This is not Hurricane Dean; if you walk the streets of Haiti, the stench alone will kill you; and you will not be recognised by anyone; so be real sir.
@ JOKER…stop being sacarstic and ignorant.. If they did not go, what would u have said? At least they tried…Zor Pa Feb garson..STUPESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hear an imaginary Dialogue between PM and de Bajan PM, just a little lighthearted humour:
Bajan ‘Roose I doan tink we gine be able to land in haiti today’
Skerro ‘Awah boy once is a good pilot mister can land a plane anywhere’
Bajan ‘Well da fuh yuh, wuhnah accustom to wuhnuh rough landing, I tink we better stay we rass in Jamaica yuh hear’
Skerro ‘Stupes….garcon you coward we pal’
Bajan ‘ Gorbleh! I ent coward man….I just consee-ering de facts…all a we should sit down and left we look pon de pictures’
Skerro ‘So you make me bring my digital camera for nothing?’
Bajan ‘Wuhnuh dominicans like to mek sport!’
Skerro ‘Ok fellas, serious business now….lets get to work we have to rescue Haiti…’
Bruce Golding enters the meeting room with a hot coffee, ‘Look ‘ere….wah me ah say, tings ah rasclat baddddddd ina Haiti uno! Jah no star! is nuff money we ‘av to spend ina Haiti…..’
It is not suprising that the plane did not get to land immediately, i really appreciate the out pouring of support that is being given to our fellow caribbean country and i understand where their priority lies. I still do not believe that the misson to Hati by our leader should be put on the back burner though, they should just try another approah, maybe charter a few helicopters. It dont matter what CARICOM can give in relation to what the bigger nations are giving now, support and kind words are golden.
ok at least they came back safe,,,,,,,, but for real where skerro going nah,,,,,skerro organize for water to go haiti,,, do wat we can for the lil while seen,,,, mr obama has e’re thing under control,,,, so they doh need us dere to jus show nice face seen,,,,, besides it really showing how our leaders r not respected enough to land,,,, so wat u sayin if it was the british,canadian or french leaders their plane would be turned back hell no,,,,,,, but who is mr. skerro again,,,,, buddy he’s the guy that rubs shoulders with chavez,,,,jus became leader of caricom,,, he wants to land,,,, hhhmm so major he’s trying to show a good face,,,,, tell the negro to suck it,,,, lol,,,, cause tiger woods donating 3 million,,, angelina jolie, madonna,,, all doin their share n trust me if they wanna land they will land,,, n besides if they really wanted to go,,, why didn’t they land in dominican republic then get transferred to haiti,,,, that makes sense to me,,,,, i guess dey wanted to land in grand style n have cnn recording them lol
When the pilot called into haiti control center. The pilot told them he has a delegation of ministers from the caribbean who wants to visit the disaster area headed by Rosevelt skerrit . The american on the control said skerrit… this is not venezuela …. he was sent right back lol….
This comes as no surprise. If you notice, most of the charitable organizations have asked volunteers to keep away rather than risking harm to more people.
The CARICOM “Fact Finders” should just make a statement and pledge their donations.
I can only imagine the chaos thats on the ground.
Tell postiveDominican and the rest of the political nut cases the world has a pecking order and a protocol for every thing even in disasters like this and the “vi ki Vi way we doing things here does not and I REPEAT does not and will not get us to no next level. Put that in you all pipe and smoke it
The Bible say in all your getting get understanding for it is through wisdom and understanding and not puppets praises that you will effect POSITIVE change in the world. They have to come right back because their purpose for going was not making a bit of sense. Coming and talk about “Fact Finding” A low level techinical and diplomatic delegation could have made a better showing instead of this GRAND STANDING, unconciously though it may be and not intentional yet not relevant. Any disaster offical worth their salt will tell you about first response. Fact finding by politicians as honourable as it may be is in the lower pecking order when the dust settles. and the people belly full. The owrld have long moved on.
You have to think realistically and be practical and not let emotions dictate your decisions. No matter how much empathy you have or how sad you feel espeically those with a Socialist ideology, you have to act and react in a manner that will not compromise your responsibilities as the leader. How can you just get up ass three mad men and go in a chaotic zone like this eh. You have a responsibility to the people. That is why there are technicians in all ministries and organisations give them back their work load. But no, some of use like the Camera , we like to wear long sleeve red shirt and go around shakeing idots and emotionally deprave people hands so the world will say they have compassion and they care for the poor, because is only the poor that need care, the hard working men and women that trying to earn the biblical way aint need care also. not much the world, but some of those dame political idiots and their neighbours that walking around the country begging begging in the name of patriotism- And yes, that is a piece of political mapwi………….. .
There is a time and a place for everything and quite a lot of the times more is done behind close doors with roled up sleves. That is exactly what they have to do now, like it or not, role their sleves up and get with the programme “I could see the reaction on some of them face when they told them no matter who you are you not landing right now if you not a first repondant or a Big Fish with lots and lots of cash. I noticed that the Secretary of States, a most esteem and intellegent woman WILL land tomorrow, she is a first repondant,because she coming with big news and plenty cash and thats what the hatians want when all is said and done when all the dust settle is back to business as usual, and guess what,like it or not, she will land whether by air, sea or whatever means with enough security to allow her free movement. But dont worry, you can still call the state department and get some info as much as some of our caribbean people think we big enough to go on our own. Not even land they make us land, they told us to circle for 3 hours, by that time i suspect the fuel would run out.
A lesson………..even in natural disasters and yes of that magnitude and depth of sufferings there is a pecking order in the world. Lets us find our place as a people and rule with wisdom and understanding as King Solomon. Let us learn the ways of the world inorder to be counted, let us educate our people so they wont be mentally inept. -Look at the people them fight for food with all that food that there and they blame every thing on poverty- Let us be humble and show humility in our giving and sharing let us pray behind close doors as the bible teaches us and let us not cover our inefficiencies with grandstanding. Let us Call a spade a spade and admonish CARICOM LEADERS to stop this “Big Boys” mentality. Let us endevour to be the big fish in the small pond and not the small fish in the big pond. once again we were eaten alive. I hope a stern letter is on its way, but then, telecommunication is down.
Wait i need an explanation please, out of 15 leaders only two were going along with one other official, why is that so? am i reading this wrongly? i must applaud the effort i hope my PM was going with some loubiere and tois piton water. This is Haitieopportunity to rebuild and attemp to make life better for its people. God be with you all.
I am reading only here what CARICOM and dominica tend to give in terms of aid. I am inthe foregin and listening to BBC and CNN. Am not hearing any mention of the contribution CARICOM or what the other caribbean island are doing . We in th e foregin needs to hear the caribbean on the international tv too. Haiti is our blood and neightbour…. COME ON ,THE CARIBBEAN NEWS REPORTS YOU NEED TO GO INTERNATIONAL AND LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT CARICOM GOVERNMENTS IS DOING FOR HAITI
urmm so how did the PM of jamaica manage to land in haiti the day before and these ones got as far as gettin on a plane only to circle round and round to come back home… urmm were’nt they looking at the news? urmm did they not know that id be like that? and urm theyd expect to land when they hve no relief aid? i mean this is the top priority of the nation now. this is embarassing
@jahbless…i suppose you are one of the ignorant ppl who simply read the title of an article and write a comment. nowhere in the article does it mention that the delegation was goin to land in Dominica. what does our airport have to do with this envoy?
Dominica needs an international airport in wesley.so this wont happean.
caricom good efforts …but ur contribution now is peanuts for this mass casualty management needed…let the bigger economies work first …just post ur contributions
I was wonderin where they were going now, if it was me alone watchin the news
watchin the news on cnn I’m not surprise . The airport in haiti is in total caious rite now..they are only accepting planes with relief aid..