UPDATE: The plane landed at Teterboro (NJ) Airport Tuesday evening, bypassing Georgetown. There were no passengers aboard. (See the Delaware Online afternoon story; read about the response team at Teterboro.)
A response team of state service providers, local agencies, and ministry partners are preparing to receive a group of refugees from Texas on Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Georgetown, Delaware, sometime this afternoon. The plane, Ultimate Air Shuttle flight UE11, which can carry a maximum of 33 passengers, took off from Longview, Texas early this morning, stopped in San Antonio and Crestview, Florida, en route to a scheduled landing at Sussex County Airport in Georgetown this afternoon.
DHSS will meet the plane when it lands, and have the area sectioned off with security. They will be handling the press, and only authorized DHSS personnel will be able to access the migrants. It is a very traumatic experience, and they are encouraging people to not just show up- though the thought is appreciated.
Anyone who has services to offer (translation, food, clothing) can contact Muriel.gillespie@delaware.gov Since we don't know exactly what will be needed, she is collecting resources to call upon once the needs are clearer.
DHSS is coordinating a response - they will:
- Have medical professionals and translators ready
- DART busses will transport the migrants to a safe harbor
- DHSS will provide hot meals, private rooms with showers, etc.
- DHSS will review legal documentation
- Further health screening (COVID, Hepatitis, TB, etc.) will also be available
There will be a portal managed by the United Way as a fiscal agent to accept donations.
A group of service providers will be meeting daily to coordinate care and strategize. Community service and ministry representatives, including Epworth's Mickie McManamon, are part of a response team coordinating short- and long-term help.
Mickie is bringing 90 snack packs (with ready-to-eat fruit and cereal) as part of the Delaware welcome, and we are standing by to mobilize more assistance with food, shelter, and love as we learn more.
