Unprecedented Support
Dear Readers, As Grand Bahamians, we have lived through many, many, storms. Andrew, Matthew, Jeanne, and Francis to name a few. Each time, we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and started again; in some cases, with assistance and donations that have filtered through – but mainly on our own. Typically in the days following a storm, Grand Bahama is inundated with the mass of Insurance Adjusters who come to assess the damages, and determine what payouts are necessary. Post Dorian however, the island is now teeming with literally hundreds of volunteers from organizations from all over the world. To say we are thankful is not enough, we are overwhelmed and just astonished. |
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GB Disaster Foundation Brings Relief to Residents Impacted by Hurricane Dorian
Freeport, Bahamas – In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation (GBDRF) - the organization formed by the Directors of Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to oversee relief efforts - quickly sprang into action to meet the needs of impacted residents. With the help of its many partners, the GBDRF has spearheaded a series of rescue operations, particularly in the hard-hit East End, in addition to providing water, food, clothing, and other relief items to Grand Bahamian families. “Once the emergency food and water aid strategy was locked down, we then turned our attention to providing medical care,” said Joe Oliver, Outreach Coordinator with the GBDRF. “That has involved treating patients with ruptured stomach ulcers, to taking the necessary precautions to prevent diseases like gangrene and tetanus or any other sort of infections.” Working with doctors from the Rand Memorial Hospital, the team established protocols to provide immediate medical attention, using various donated vehicles to reach the far-flung parts of the island with the necessary medical care. |
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Crossreach Update 18th September
Crossreach is making great progress thanks to the fantastic help from LPC Crossreach regulars, wonderful volunteers from Crisis Response International and of course your food and financial support.
High points so far this week.
By Monday evening Crossreach’s picking shelves were 90% bare. Deliveries were made the worst affected areas of downtown and the Regency park area where every home was flooded. On Tuesday Crossreach received two trailers of and six pallets of new supplies. These deliveries were put into the Crossreach warehouse and the overflow staged in 2 additional adjacent warehouses. On Wednesday boxes of supplies were unpacked and the shelves restocked. Approximately 200 bags were filled for delivery. Three delivery runs were made to downtown Regency Park and Lewis Yard distributing about 170 bags. Tomorrow Crossreach will unpack and stage the deliveries temporarily stored in adjacent warehouses, restock the picking shelves and make more deliveries.
Crossreach could not receive and distribute so much food without your kind support and the unbelievably, hardworking CRISIS RESPONSE INTERNATIONAL Volunteers.
Thank you all for supporting Grand Bahama and Crossreach. Your generosity allows Crossreach to deliver food and supplies to many more stricken families in need. |
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NEMA takes relief supplies directly to the doors of affected residents |
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – NEMA took hurricane relief supplies directly to the residents of Grand Bahama in “Operation Relief Saturday,” September 14, 2019. Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, President of the Senate and Coordinator for NEMA, Senator Kay Forbes-Smith, along with volunteers gathered at Freeport Shipping Services and unpacked huge pallets of hurricane relief items, sorted them and put together “Care Packages” for Grand Bahamian residents. |
GB Oil Spill is a Dire Warning |
The disastrous impact of Hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama, which caused an as-yet undisclosed amount of oil to spill from the South Riding Point storage facility, should teach the government a lesson and lead to a definitive rejection of the notorious Oban refinery proposal before it is too late.
Fred Smith, legal director of of Save the Bays, said the government would be “insane” to continue courting another dangerous and reckless facility of this kind. |
Royal Caribbean ‘Grand Bahama Shipyard Open, Cruise Lines Get 300 Bahamians Back to Work in Grand Bahama |
Even as its ships ferried thousands of meals and tons of supplies to hurricane-stricken Grand Bahama in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, Royal Caribbean issued welcomed news yesterday – Grand Bahama Shipyard, one of the island’s largest employers, re-opened September 11, providing jobs and a semblance of normalcy amidst the tumultuous relief efforts. “We are extremely pleased to advise that the Grand Bahama Shipyard re-opened for business on Wednesday, September 11, allowing some 300 Bahamian employees to return to work and demonstrating to the outside world that Grand Bahama is on a path to recovery,” said Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International. The cruise line is part owner of the region’s largest ship repair facility along with Carnival Corp. whose top executives issued a similar statement. |
| Grand Bahama Port Authority: Hurricane Dorian Communication |
September 15th, 2019, Freeport, Grand Bahama. The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is supporting Grand Bahama’s businesses and residents in the wake of Hurricane Dorian through its focused efforts on safely returning essential services to the Island.
GBPA Chairman Sarah St. George said, “Dorian attacked us with such force and devastation that it has taken days to grasp the tragic loss of human life and vast extent of damage to this lovely Island we are so proud to call our home. We mourn those who have lost their lives on Grand Bahama, pray for those who lost family members and friends, and we grieve for our close neighbors in Abaco. |
Leading Realtor Mario Carey: ‘We have the inventory’ |
Thousands of repossessed properties sit vacant while thousands who lost their homes as Hurricane Dorian thrashed Abaco and Grand Bahama are sleeping in shelters, desperate for some semblance of a return to normalcy.
Now, says leading real estate broker and entrepreneur Mario Carey, as government searches for a solution to housing the answer may be staring them right in the face – incentivize investors to buy distressed properties and transform them into rent-controlled, affordable housing. |
United States Commits $4 Million in New Funding, Promises Continued Coordination with Government of The Bahamas |
At a press conference in Washington, D.C., today U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green announced nearly $3.8 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help people in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian. This brings total U.S. funding for the response to more than $10 million, which includes logistics support from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Green said, “As part of our continuing response, today I’m announcing nearly $4 million in new humanitarian assistance. This additional funding will support emergency shelter, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and psychosocial support for people affected by Hurricane Dorian. We’ll also provide critical logistics and emergency telecommunications to support response operations.” |
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Bahamian Brewery To Rebuild & Restore GB Operations
Freeport GB, The Bahamas – In 2008 the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company Limited (BBB), the brainchild of James “Jimmy” Sands officially opened its doors on Grand Bahama Island. Its mission, to provide ‘Truly Bahamian’ products that all Bahamians could enjoy and be proud of. In the more than ten years since, the Brewery has redefined the beer business in The Bahamas and established itself as an integral part of the Grand Bahama landscape. Following the passage of Hurricane Dorian however, that geography is now forever changed. The mega-storm which was rated a Category 5, blew through Grand Bahama causing immeasurable damage and destruction. Like scores of homes and residences on the island, The Brewery did not escape Dorian’s wrath. |
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Due to the effects of Hurricane Dorian, there is no Abaco news or flyers but please consider donating to one of the following relief organizations or one of your choice. |
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Bank of the Bahamas' Freeport Locations is now open for transactions. |
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Tropical Storm Jerry has formed in the Atlantic and could become a hurricane later this week: |
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#242NewsWeather'cause its always Better in The Bahamas: |
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| September 27, 2019 - Optimist North American Championship at Bahamas National Sailing School 12pm - October 4 12pm
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| October 4, 2019 - Presidents Cocktail Party at Freeport Rugby Club
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#242newsbahamas (242) 352-4578 |
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