#Freeport, GB, September 13, 2019 – Bahamas – On Wednesday morning World Central Kitchen, owned by chef and philanthropist Jose Andres, arrived in Freeport Harbor, with thousands of already prepared meals, as well as tons of dry goods and other relief supplies. Chef Andres has joined the many international volunteers who have opened up their hearts and storehouses to the people of Grand Bahama in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
“The outpouring of support from both the Caribbean and our
international partners has been tremendous,” said Senator Jasmin Dareus, who is
working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the
distribution of supplies.
According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Floridians have raised
more than $11 million for hurricane relief in The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has stood strong behind its commitment
to supply some 10,000 per day to Grand Bahama, along with other supplies like
pallets of water, canned and dry goods. Freeport Harbour has become a beehive of activity every
day since the restoration effort began.
Carnival Cruise Line has also made significant commitment to
assisting Grand Bahama during this time of great devastation.
From as early as 6:00 a.m. to later into the afternoon, charitable
organizations, churches and other civic groups are in an out of the dock,
collecting supplies for their respective organizations. They in turn will
distribute the goods to their respective communities. “What’s going on here is this place has
become our official point of distribution to all of the centers, shelters,
churches and other organizations,” Senator Dareus pointed out, while dodging
moving forklifts and people claiming supplies.
“Right now there are 35 shelters and centers across Grand Bahama,
from West to East End and what we do is ensure that every day these centers are
filled with breakfast items, lunch, dinner, snacks, water and other necessary
items. There are more than 20,000 such meals per day and at this point we have
already distributed over 100,000 meals, along with cases of water, canned goods
and other relief supplies.”
But the Senator is ensuring that not only do churches and other
groups who show up for their supplies receive those supplies but, working
closely with NEMA, that they take food and supplies to those who may not be
able to get to the harbour to collect provisions. Because of severe flooding caused by
Hurricane Dorian a number of government and private citizen vehicles were
damaged and out of commission. Senator Dareus added, “Working along with NEMA,
Senate President, Kay Forbes-Smith and I assist in ensuring that the meals get
to individuals within the community. There are people who are unable to get out because
of flooding, but these individuals need to be fed and to receive supplies. We
cater to the Children’s Home, to the Rand Memorial Hospital and every shelter
on this island.”
In addition to the aid that’s coming in from the United States —
Japan, China and Caribbean islands have committed themselves to supplying aid
to both Grand Bahama and Abaco, the two islands hardest hit by the Category
Five Hurricane Dorian.
Senator Dareus thanked all of those nations and countries who have
come to the aid of The Bahamas generally and Grand Bahama, specifically.
By Andrew Coakley
Photo Captions:
Header: Individuals from churches, civic and charitable organizations make frequent trips to Freeport Harbour to collect donated items to distribute within their communities and to victims of Hurricane Dorian. The supplies have been donated by a number of international donors from the United States, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
Insert: Crew members of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line unload hurricane relief supplies on Tuesday morning at Freeport Harbour. RCCL has committed to donating 10,000 cooked meals per day, along with other relief supplies to Grand Bahama.