A Situation Report

This report is from a canadian women who is in contact with her loved ones in Dominica: UPDATE FROM THE DADDIES: Sara Ouellette Subero's husband Stephan Subero (from Beyond Vitality) who remains in Dominica has joined force with some of their closest friends - Aaron Hawkins (from StormCloudsGathering a.k.a Pongovi Springs and partner of Laetitia Joy Tapping), Ayra, Athalie George (a.k.a Afy) and Curwin Watt (partner of Siân Jones from Eden Heights, Dominica). They have been spending a few days on each other's land, salvaging, slowly rebuilding and trying to secure water and food. They mentioned how they have been surviving on wine and salvaged baby formula. All the crops have been destroyed and the trees have fallen. The bark was even stripped off the surviving trees! The birds and local animals are in complete distress. No food to buy, no food to forage. The guys have finally been able to repair and put up a temporary rain water barrel. Afy's family who also lost everything in the village are now staying at our place, Beyond Vitality in a small space the guys were able to clear mud and debris and make somewhat livable. The mother Sharlime George and her three children, one of which is a 5 month old baby, are safe for the time being. As hurricane season peaks, the rain is endless with limited shelter and places to dry clothing and bedding. People are bathing in streams and collecting water from far away. The guys are still living in their vehicles. No electricity, no money. The banks are down, along with all ATMs. In the capital, gasoline is being rationed per person. Communication will take weeks to be restored, and currently there is only one small zone on the island which people must travel a great distance to send messages. Relief efforts are in place, but the port has officially been closed down due to total chaos and loss of control. Armies have been brought in. The sanitation is horrible, disease is on the rise. Many children are being evacuated from the island, but not everyone is able to seek refuge. What was once the safest and friendliest island in the Caribbean is now polluted with crime and looting out of pure desperation and will to live. People are dehydrated and hungry. Easy daily tasks have become full day affairs. We need the help of humanity to rebuild a country. It is truly heartbreaking and even more difficult to watch and hear about from a distance. A complete apocalypse scenario. The situation is going to get worse before it improves, but Dominica is resilient. The Nature Island will rebuild with time - it's going to be a long road to recovery. We await more updates to see what the wives and children will do. It may take some time for them to reunite. Everyone is remaining strong, hopeful and incredibly grateful for all the support. Please continue to share and raise awareness. Dominica needs help from the world!