by Bahamas Information Services
As Southern and Central Bahamas have suffered from the drenching rains and powerful winds of Hurricane Melissa, the government, people, and private sector of the United States have been in action to save lives, protect property, and assist in the recovery.
“At every point – during the approach of the storm, as it passed, and now as recovery efforts begin – the people and government of The United States have been working to assist Bahamians,” stated U.S. Embassy Nassau Chargé D’Affaires Kimberly Furnish. “Even during our government shutdown, saving lives will always be a priority for The United States. I am particularly proud of how we worked to mobilize the private sector to support the government of The Bahamas’ efforts to bring people safely to Nassau from Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island.”
As the storm approached, numerous United States private sector and non-profit entities engaged resources and provided support to save lives, including:
• Love & Life Foundation,
• Judah 1 Aviation,
• SpaceX,
• Founder and President of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers Dr. Andy Ingraham, and
• Founder of Tropic Ocean Airways Rob Ceravolo, among others.
In response to catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in many Caribbean countries, the United States Department of State is deploying a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and activated US-based Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to bolster response efforts. These teams are working with affected countries and local communities to determine what assistance is needed and with interagency, international, and U.S. military partners to coordinate emergency response efforts.
DART members have deployed to The Bahamas to join a disaster risk management specialist already on the ground. They will assist with rapid damage and needs assessments and information sharing and help coordinate U.S government efforts. The United States Coast Guard has sent HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft out of Air Station Miami to conduct overflights of the affected areas for post-disaster assessment.
On Friday, Chargé Furnish joined Prime Minister Philip Davis, Leader of the Opposition Michael Pintard, Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles and Defence Force Commander Floyd Moxey on a Coast Guard overflight to survey the damage.
“Our commitment to The Bahamas is unwavering,” said Charge Furnish. “We are friends in good times, and our friendship remains constant during disasters like Hurricane Melissa.”
The post Before, During, and After Hurricane Melissa, The United States Supports The Bahamas appeared first on ZNS BAHAMAS.
