Hurricane charity aircraft detained

POLICE detained the aircraft of a local charity with "questions" about its operations, The Tribune can confirm.

The Humanitarian Operation Foundation (HOPE Foundation) was allegedly flying its helicopters "too low" and landing on "unauthorized locations," according to government officials.

HOPE Foundation used two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft from the United States to operate "search and rescue" missions, and to deliver relief supplies to family island residents in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

Police detained one of the company's helicopters on Sunday in Cat Island while they investigated their concerns. This came on the heels of an alleged "mistake" that led to government officials temporarily seizing some of the organisation's relief supplies.

The HOPE Foundation worked in collaboration with Sea Air Land Security (SALS) Inc, a Florida-based security company, comprised of ex-military pilots and ex-special forces members, which provided personnel support and supplied the aircraft.

Captain Stephen Russell, director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the coordinating agency has had "no dealings" with HOPE.

According to Capt Russell, no one from the HOPE Foundation contacted NEMA to coordinate their efforts, but he had heard of them, and was aware police detained one of their aircraft. He encouraged the organisation to contact NEMA.

"Anyone who is doing relief operations in the Bahamas, and as far as we are concerned, anyone who has a desire to do so, should contact NEMA and coordinate their efforts," said Capt Russell.

He said NEMA conducts a background check on organisations it works with to ensure they do not have "some ulterior motives."

Officials at the HOPE Foundation, on the other hand, claimed NEMA officials turned down their offer of support, and were "rude" when inquiries were made about why their helicopter was detained in Cat Island.

"We offered to work with NEMA but they said they would get back to us. Apparently NEMA doesn't need helicopters. We offered them for free. We did not ask for any money, but they turned us down," said Darren Adler, director of the foundation.

Mr Adler further accused NEMA of "stealing" humanitarian aid from one of its helicopters, saying that as a result, it has pulled its workers and supplies out of the country. Mr Adler claimed the supplies were "forcibly" removed by defence force officers working for NEMA without explanation.

"When a government organisation steals your food and water, and when you call to inquire they slam the phone down on you, you have to say to yourself, I think this is not a good idea.

"This is not an environment that is conducive to give, so we are not able to work with the government," said Mr Adler.

"We offered, but the government confirmed they do not want to have a working relationship with us. That is a shame. To take food off our aircraft and put it in a warehouse, that is ridiculous. That is not normal in anywhere in the western world," he said.

All of HOPE's helicopters have been redeployed to the United States to assist in the relief efforts there, according to Mr Adler. He said the last time the organisation had food forcibly taken off one of its aircraft was "in Ethiopia at gun point, many, many years ago."

"They returned it after our aircraft left the country. That is when they decided to return it and said 'oops, we think it was a mistake'," said Mr Adler.

The HOPE Foundation has operated in the Bahamas for several years. It formerly operated out of the private airport Odyssey Aviation Bahamas.

Tribune sources claim Odyssey has not been affiliated with the company for "about three years," and the two did not part "on good terms."

Source:  http://www.tribune242.com