should we all ask for U.S relief and aid?

We send ships and helicopters to Tsunamis on the other half of the world, should we all call our reps and ask if a ship or two should be in the Caribbean with helicopters.

I suppose the Dutch and French governments will airlift supplies and bring more Gendarmes?

Looks bad enough to qualify to me.

It never hurts to ask. What's the worse they can say, no. But then again they may say yes.

In an ideal world, yes, but remember a large part of Houston and surrounding area is still flooded, and if what I see, southern Florida Puerto Rico and the USVI, could look like Cole Bay by Sunday night. US aid is a bit strapped right now.

I know the US takes care of the World and we love SXM but the US still has to clean up TX and God only know what Irma has in store for the South Eastern US.

JMHO not trying to be political <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Zero political..........please........I feel same way many times...........but a ship and some helicopter flights......and some medical for "our friends"...........

The ships will steam somewhere anyways and the pilots will fly to nowhere to get flight time.........


As I said the Caribbean.......SXM, Barbuda, DR, Haiti, Bahamas, Turks, SXM (:)

LATEST UPDATE ABOUT THE AID ON ITS WAY FROM THE MARINES

ENGLISH
Update SXM. We are currently sailing 208km below SXM. About 9.15h to go. The Pelican is stuffed with AID relief supplies, Trucks, Water machine, Ambulance, Watertanks for distribution, Provisions, Drugs and medical supplies, A bulldozer. Whether or not we can get everything on land remains unknown. Both the pier of Saba and Statia are non accessible. The harbour of SXM is badly damaged. We carry small boats so both Dutch and Curaçaolanean military can get to shore. The bulldozer will be of use to clear the runway. The airport building did not survive the hurricane. 6 reported deaths on the french side, but possibly more...on the Dutch side 9 people have been badly injured. It is unclear whether or not these people can get medical attention. The hospital is non operational and damaged. Currently we are also concerned about hurricane José. That will probably hit St. Maarten on Saturday

This is good, I think they will need more help.

USN Ships could sail a planned route for weeks dropping stuff and picking up patients----- including usvi, pr,dr, bvi, Sxm, etc, etc, etc, etc....... USS Cruise Ship

I'm sure we will, But I hope SXM isn't neglected

Has the UN stepped up and offered any assistance?. This is now a humanitarian situation and all hands are needed to help the people of the Caribbean islands who have given people around the world so much pleasure over so long a period of time. I haven't read of any offers so far but maybe I've just missed it. In honesty, my heart aches with every new article I read and I'm now on system over-load...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

In a word NO! let's take care of our own first.

Dave, that's a callous attitude, imho. You travel yearly to St. Martin and partake of their services. They take care of you and provide for you. Suppose you had a medical emergency in St. Martin and needed emergency care. You are rushed to the hospital but the doctor says, "Let him wait! Let's take care of our own first."

People are people. We are all citizens of this world. Yes, there are needs that need to be met here in the US but we have many more resources than St. Martin.

Please discontinue discouraging people from helping people in St. Martin. If you have no desire to help, fine. But please don't encourage others to not help the folks in St. Martin just because they are separated from us geographically by a few hours.

Later today, from the military air base Eindhoven, a kdc-10 and c-130 Hercules a of the royal air force commissioned by the ministry of interior and koninkrijksrelaties towards Sint Maarten to fly supplies and additional military personnel.

The Transporttoestellen fly to curaçao. Due to the damage to the airport on Sint Maarten, the c-130 is used to transport the goods between the affected area and curaçao. This tactical transport plane is capable of landing on primitive and poorly accessible runways.

The military will be deployed for assisting and supporting tasks. In addition, water and food are taken, where 40.000 people can be provided for five days. There is widespread destruction of infrastructure and residents do not have running water. There is an urgent need for aid and additional support for aid. Military personnel can also be deployed to restore public order.


https://www.facebook.com/KoninklijkeMari...e=3&theater <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Hi - Pat asked if the UN has offered assistance- FYI the UN is an international organization so in a word "yes" they should help these people.

I'm just saying that with the recent destruction in Texas, and the now threatening destruction in Florida, and the east coast states. We need to take care of our own citizens first. After that if there is any left you can support the effort in SXM. After all they have the resources of their respective European governments -- or at least they should have.

IMHO Americans should take care of American citizens first. If that makes me a bad guy -- so be it.

Our thoughts...
We have a daughter and son-in-law, along with many of their friends who live and work (He, for the US Government.) on St. John. When we tried to obtain any information on Hurricane Irma it was extremely difficult; as in the media glossed over ANY of the Caribbean islands. Between Harvey and Irma on our mainland, resources will be very tight and ANY island relief will be minimal. While we need to assist our fellow Earthmates, we also need to take care of our own. Our prayers are with all who are impacted and in danger of these storms. And now we have Jose.
So...it is not being callous to the wonderful people on St. Martin...it is we have US Citizens who are in need in the USVI as well.

I wouldn't send in 1 US relief worker until the Netherlands and France restores order on the island. Then you and other
volunteer's can go there and work to restore homes, businesses and other services.

First I don't think Astropilot is a bad guy, he stated some very hard truths. And not brought up in his first post is the damage in the USVI. We have Harvey and USVI on our plate already and we have no idea what will happen in Florida and Georgia and wherever else Irma visits. I have read she will be a slow mover while over The US. The flood potential worsens.

My heart goes out to SXM but our priorities need to be USA

You know this is about the most disgusting comment I've seen on this board since all the troubles in the caribbean and the gulf began. In times like these most people come together.

this thread is no longer useful.

No this is very relevant. Americans are by nature very generous people.

This is really helpful to families at home wondering about loved ones stuck on the island.

This is really helpful to someone on the island now, who needs help now!

Do something helpful or maybe be quiet?

Hey it was Astropilot who said the people on SXM should be left to suffer, not me.

You are missing the point, I don't care who said what.
Let's keep "political" type opinions out of this and
concentrate on some useful information.

Thats not political, its humanitarian. And as far as charity goes I know americans are some of the generous in the world. And thats what makes Astroboys comment so distasteful .

You just won't stop.
How about posting something useful to someone who needs help on the island, or something useful to their family at home. It is late. Go to bed.

Good night.

As the originator, the point is moot, the Calvary has arrived.

Time for a Moderator to Lock this thread if they're not all in bed by now.

No still early on the west coast

Ya when you don't like it lock it up.