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BAHAMAS: DPM says Bahamas committed to disaster risk reduction

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#Nassau, July 1, 2019 – Bahamas – The Bahamas, through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA launched the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment, a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest delivered the keynote address at the NDPBA kick-off ceremony at the British Colonial Hilton held Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

The new disaster management initiative also featured key speakers including the Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell, the U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers, and Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center, among several other experts. 

Following several consecutive years of serious hurricane impacts, The Bahamas launched the NDPBA research disaster risk, preparedness, and climate change in partnership with Pacific Disaster Center (PDC)—a University of Hawaii applied science and research center.

The Deputy Prime Minister upheld the importance of the partnership, describing the yearlong NDPBA programme as an imperative step towards risk reduction and true sustainability for The Bahamas.

 “We recall that within the past few years alone, The Bahamas has been seriously affected by at least three major hurricanes—all category four storms or above. The impact of Hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, and Irma on The Bahamas has been reported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to cost approximately eight hundred and twenty million dollars,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that such a significant cost to an economy like The Bahamas is unsustainable. “Through the NDPBA partnership, The Bahamas and PDC will work together to address the unique disaster risks and sustainability challenges of small island nations/states. The Baseline Assessment also creates an opportunity for The University of The Bahamas Small Island Sustainability Centre and Hawaii’s Institute for Sustainability and Resilience to collectively study the most pressing questions and emerging threats related to climate change,” he said.

Captain Russell also underscored the importance of the baseline assessment to the overall national disaster plan and the partnerships NEMA has developed over the years.

 “As a strong nation of united family islands, The Bahamas has leveraged its culture of resilience over hundreds of years to adapt to and shape its changing environment. Through this longstanding partnership with PDC and the Baseline Assessment program, The Bahamas can take the next step in its journey of growth to address the challenges that we have yet to face,” he said.

Captain Russell added that NEMA has partnered with regional and international agencies for decades to enhance mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities with the aim of long-term national resilience.

 “Over the past 10 years, the partnership with PDC has helped to establish a brand new National Emergency Operations Center, with trained and effective staff; it has helped to implement the policies and protocols to effectively utilize this resource; to improve communication between islands; and most importantly, to support our brothers and sisters on the family islands,” said Captain Russell.

Such were similar sentiments echoed by U.S. Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers, who, during her opening ceremony remarks said: “This international model for cooperation demonstrates how we can leverage shared resources and expertise to build capacities and strengthen stability. This initiative brings together our governments, universities, and public-private sector partnerships to cooperate on one of the most challenging issues of our time. By bringing together experts from across sectors, we can bridge gaps in knowledge to reduce risk and find solutions to responding to crises.”

And according to Dr. Hughey said the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) is a program started by PDC to help nations build resilience at the national and sub-national level and to engage experts from across sectors to take part in lowering disaster risk.

She noted that PDC is located in one of the world’s most remote island chains and regularly faces extreme threats from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, flash floods, landslides, and wildfires.

DPM signing poster

“Out of necessity to protect its own community, PDC has developed some of the most advanced disaster management technology, science, and research methodologies which are applicable not only on the Hawaiian Islands and in the continental United States, but in multiple contexts everywhere around the world,” said Dr Hughey.

The kick-off workshop and knowledge exchange for the baseline assessment was co-hosted by NEMA, the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems Centre (BNGISC), and PDC with funding and support from the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

The event drew participation by nearly 100 representatives from NEMA’s Emergency Support Function groupings across public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors. It was the beginning of cross-sectoral engagement planned throughout the assessment. Using scientific methodologies, the programme will also support The Bahamas’ Vision 2040 National Development Plan and international commitments to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Press Release: NEMA

Captions:

Header: Nearly 100 representatives from NEMA’s Emergency Support Function groupings across public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors attended the launching of the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment kickoff  a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk. The ceremony was held at the British Colonial Hilton on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Opening ceremony speakers pictured front row from left are: Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell; CarolAnn Albury, Director, Bahamas National Geographic Information System; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest; Stephanie Bowers, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Nassau; Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center; and Bradley Golden, Humanitarian Assistance Programme Specialist with USNORTHCOM. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

First Insert: The Bahamas, through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA launched the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment, a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk. A kick-off ceremony was held at the British Colonial Hilton on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Pictured from left are Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell; CarolAnn Albury, Director, Bahamas National Geographic Information System; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest; Stephanie Bowers, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Nassau; Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center; and Bradley Golden, Humanitarian Assistance Programme Specialist with USNORTHCOM. (PHOTO/NEMA/PDC)


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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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