The Bahamas Devestated

The Bahamas consists of 700+ islands of which 30 are inhabited with a total population of roughly 400,000 people.

Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, which are a group of islands in the northern Bahamas, were devastated and hit the hardest by Hurricane Dorian, the category 5 hurricane.

“Our weather forecasters told us that if there were a Category 6 ranking, Dorian would qualify.” – CNN Journalist

According to USA Today, Dorian is the slowest and strongest hurricane to ever hit the Bahamas since they began recording hurricanes in 1851. 

The United Nations estimates that 76,000 people are now homeless.

According to Health Minister Duane Sands, the death toll as of Sunday, September 8th, was 44. That number will unfortunately rise as hundreds remain missing on Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. To make matters worse, Dorian has devastated the infrastructure, which has made it increasingly harder for search and recovery crews.

Evacuation efforts have started, but with an estimated 76,000 now homeless, it would take a massive effort to evacuate the majority of those in need. Bahama’s need all the financial support and aid they can get.

The increase of severe and extreme weather is making it harder and harder for islanders to live in the Caribbean. What will be the cost to rebuild… hundreds of millions if not billions? Where will the aid come from? Will northern Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean be spared next hurricane season, or what about the hurricane season after that?

These are difficult questions that unfortunately need to be answered.

Like I mentioned earlier, the Bahama’s and their citizens need all the financial support and aid they can get.

There are two ways to help…. donate, and then plan to visit. The Bahamas economy, like most of the islands in the Carribean, is centered around tourism, and tourism is now needed more than ever to help them recover. There are a number of islands in the Bahamas that did not feel the wrath of Dorian. These islands include Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Crooked Island and many more.

Need help with donations? Here are a few of the credible organizations that are accepting donations and aid in support of the Bahamas… 

The Bahamian Government set up the Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund, and they are accepting wire transfers.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority has set up the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation. They are accepting donations and supplies.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has posted instructions here.

Team Rubicon, a veterans support organization, is assisting with resources and support on the ground.

Mercy Corps is accepting money here coordinating response efforts on the ground.

Good 360 asks that corporations donate goods including water, diapers, bedding, portable chargers and tarps. Individuals can donate cash here.

YachtAid Global is accepting money to purchase supplies.

Global Giving, a global crowdfunding platform, has set up the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund.

Donate and spread the word… every donation matters. 

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