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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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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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