by Marcia Braveboy Caribbean Net News correspondent reporting from Grenada ST GEORGE‘S, Grenada: Two things strike the senses in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan’s devastating pass over Grenada. First, the green lushness of the island has now been replaced by a dry, brown and barren appearance. Second, the stench of death in the air, whether from the carcasses of livestock or human corpses, no one can tell for sure at this point. The entire island is highly distressed and, with 90 percent of all buildings either damaged or destroyed, the population is disoriented. Grenada’s famed nutmeg industry, which takes 20 years to establish, has been obliterated. Of the 24,000 homes on the island, some 95 percent are reported to have been destroyed. Although, pictures may show buildings to be still standing, none have roofs any longer and the interiors have been stripped by the weather or looters, or both. It has been said that there are two things left in Grenada: the people and the rivers. And the people have to use the rivers for sanitation. According to reports from local funeral homes, the death toll currently stands at around 35, but this may rise to 40 or more once everyone is accounted for. The security situation has broken down, with looting out of control. It seems that only time will bring a stop to the looting – when there is nothing left to steal. Some of the looting amounts to no more than sheer vandalism on the part of those seeking to settle old scores. Security forces, both domestic and those sent in from neighboring island states, have been reduced to directing traffic, seemingly powerless in the face of determined looters who challenge the military to shoot them if they dare. There have been reports of security forces shooting into the air in a vain attempt to control crowds, and then having to resort to tear gas. A 6 pm to 6 am curfew is in force, but there have been difficulties in communicating this fact to the general population, due to the absence of public media. There has been a report of one individual being shot in the leg by security forces when he attempted to run away after being challenged during the curfew. The absence of public media may also be a contributing factor to widespread local complaints of a lack of effective leadership from the Grenadian authorities. There is no proper coordination of relief supplies, much of which are stolen directly from the boats bringing them in, with security forces again unable to exert any form of meaningful control over the situation. The prison has been destroyed and all inmates are on the loose, with the exception of some who have surrendered to the police for their own protection and safety. The situation in Grenada is desperate, with not only relief supplies needed urgently but, just as importantly, skilled relief workers to coordinate distribution, backed by an effective security force. Further reports from Grenada will be published as and when the telecommunications situation there allows. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com