I can't help but sympathise with all the frustrations expressed in the messages above. I am sure that I would have been just as hopping mad as Madeline, had I been in her place.

However, the important factors are:

1. There are relief supplies arriving;
2. Those supplies need to get to the islands.

If shouting at Customs officers doesn't work (and, let's be honest, it never does, not in Belize, nor the US, nor in any other country I know), then it might be time to try something else.

As a positive suggestion, has the Red Cross, or some other relief organisation been contacted? Oxfam, or UNICEF? They aree in the business of emergency relief worldwide, and will surely have some expertise to help resolve the problem. Even better, the Red Cross is a member of SUMA, which is, after all, an organisation set up specifically to resolve this sort of problem.

All those good people ready to set off with supplies should consider this as a possible method of getting through Customs.

For all the good intentions, execrating about the GOB here doesn't move a single item from bond to the cayes. Once the immediate need - the transfer of the supplies - has been sorted, then the apparent lack of help from the GOB can be addressed - and, as one correspondent has already pointed out, the ballot box is the ultimate sanction.