WE WILL OVERCOME - #BahamasStrong

What an amazing sight on a rooftop here in Nassau, Bahamas, this morning - 13 Ibis on Friday, September 13th! Some might say this was a “sign”. I like to think it was an indication that Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands will bounce back even stronger from the deadly Cat 5 Hurricane Dorian that devastated those islands last week.

Although we didn’t get Hurricane Dorian in Nassau/New Providence we still felt the effects of beta bands from Hurricane Dorian with torrential rain and thunderstorms and flooding in low lying areas. But that was nothing compared to what the hurricane inflicted on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama. So many on those islands have lost everything.

We have heard tragic first hand reports from evacuees of the hurricane ravaged islands as people escaped to New Providence. It is heart wrenching. There has been much activity on land, air and sea on and around New Providence with relief efforts for the devastated islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama and incoming evacuation of traumatized victims of Hurricane Dorian. Many have died and hundreds are still missing.

Bahamian and International communities and organizations are pulling together to help the victims of Hurricane Dorian. The UK and Denmark sent aid ships to help with relief. The U.S. sent search and rescue crews and helicopters to help with evacuations. The list of international help is too long to mention here, but there are international and local organizations that continue to feed thousands of evacuees on New Providence. They work in conjunction with NEMA (The Bahamas’ National Emergency Management Agency), which gives daily press conferences.

Last Sunday New Providence Community Church's service was held in the Andros Ballroom of the Baha Mar Convention Centre, as the church is being used for their Hurricane Dorian Relief Initiative. Many evacuees from Grand Bahama and Abaco were present at the moving service. The New Providence Community Centre on Blake Road, Nassau, is receiving donations from 7.30 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. They also have a Call Centre set up to report missing persons in Abaco or Grand Bahama or to receive emergency relief - Tel. 698-CARE (2273). NPCC updates can be found on their Facebook page. Many other local churches and organizations have undertaken similar relief initiatives.

As power, water and communications begin to be reconnected to the afflicted islands, The Bahamas is determined to move on #BahamasStrong.