Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Five died in Hurricane Dorian, PM calls on Nation to Unite to Help those in Need
#Nassau, September 3, 2019 – Bahamas – The Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that five people died during the passage of the category 5 Hurricane Dorian through North Abaco.
This was revealed by the Most Hon Dr Hubert A Minnis in a statement during a live NEMA press conference on Tuesday, September 2, 2019.
See Speech below:
We are in the midst of a historic tragedy in parts of the northern Bahamas. Our mission and focus now is search, rescue and recovery. I ask for your prayers for those in affected areas and for first responders.
As the Met Department has just reported, Hurricane Dorian is still battering Grand Bahama Island and will be there for many more hours.
We know that there are a number of people in Grand Bahama who are in serious distress. We will provide relief and assistance as soon as possible after the Met Department has given the all clear.
I strongly urge the residents of Grand Bahama to remain indoors and to be as safe as possible until the all clear is given by the appropriate authorities. Bahamians across our country and throughout the world are praying for you.
There are questions about fatalities. Thus far, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that there are five deaths on Abaco. Teams will go to Abaco as soon as possible for full and proper assessment and identification.
We are going to be very careful in reporting such information, which should only come from official channels and be verified by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. We need to be sensitive in reporting such information and will do so as soon as we have reliable information.
The initial report from Abaco is that the devastation is unprecedented and extensive. They are deeply worrying. The images and videos we are seeing are heartbreaking. Many homes, businesses and other buildings have been destroyed. There is an extraordinary amount of flooding and damage to infrastructure.
I wish to report that the U.S. Coast Guard is already on the ground in Abaco and has rescued a number of injured individuals. Critically injured individuals are being taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital on New Providence.
Through various channels we are continuing to monitor events in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as well as Bimini and the Berry Islands, which are continuing to receive tropical storm winds.
While New Providence, Andros and Eleuthera have been given the all clear, I strongly urge residents of these islands, to be careful and diligent as they move about. I note that there is flooding in a number of areas on these islands.
Various shelters are open in New Providence for those whose homes may have been flooded. Further, there appear to be a number of fake and incorrect reports circulating.
Please do not resend or transmit reports or images, which appear to be untrue. Many people in affected areas as well as their loved ones in the Bahamas and overseas are understandably worried. Please do not add to their anxiety and worries. This is not the time to be creating mischief and playing on the emotions of others, especially those who are vulnerable at this time.
Rapid Assessment Teams are on standby to conduct initial assessments and reconnaissance of affected areas as quickly as possible. There are teams from the Ministries of Health, National Security, Social Services and Works.
There are teams from NEMA and the Bahamas Red Cross. There are also international and regional governmental and NGO teams ready to help to assess the human needs and damage.
We have in place, and are putting in place other critical measures to respond as rapidly as possible to reduce any suffering and pain. We are putting together a Hurricane Relief and Recovery Committee. We will announce the coordinator as soon as possible.
Exigency Orders have been prepared to allow donated and purchased relief supplies from registered charitable organizations to enter the affected areas free of customs duty and VAT in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.
Landing fees will also be waived in the affected areas, as well as departure taxes and customs processing fees for non-commercial flights. The Orders cover Abaco, the Abaco Cays, Grand Bahama, Sweeting’s Cay, Deep Water Cay and Water Cay.
In addition to goods traditionally exempted after past hurricanes, we are including in these orders: medicine and medical supplies, electrical generators, tents, cots, bedding material and mosquito nettings.
Individuals affected by Hurricane Dorian are included in the Exigency Orders subject to verification by NEMA.
Fellow Bahamians and Residents:
As Bahamians we must unite with the singular focus of helping our brothers and sisters in need. We will provide information as to where and how individuals, families and corporate citizens can donate resources and funds to assist those in need.
Due to the extent of the devastation, when weather permits and transportation resumes, I ask Bahamians and residents on islands not devastated by the storm to open their homes to friends and family who are in need.
Your compassion at this most difficult hour will bring healing and hope to those who are traumatized by this destructive storm.
Bahamians have a charitable spirit. There are many who are ready to give generously. Please ensure that you donate funds and items to reputable charitable organizations with records of service to the community.
We want to be careful to avoid past mistakes where non-reputable organizations and individuals attempting to take advantage of the suffering and distress of others.
I have heard from a number of world leaders, including a number of heads of government from the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. We are also in touch with a number of other foreign governments and international agencies.
Fellow Bahamians and Residents:
I pledge to you that your government will bring to bear every resource possible and all of our collective energy to assist those in the devastated areas.
There are many difficult days, weeks and months ahead of us as a people and as a country. We must stay united as a people to bring immediate assistance, to bring hope, to bring recovery and to rebuild lives.
We read in Psalm 130:
“Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord, Lord hear my voice.
“O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.”
In the midst of the devastation and the loss of life; in the midst of this terrible tragedy; we must rely on the Lord of Life, who is our great hope and our comfort in times of need.
I end with the words of Joshua 1:9:
“Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Let this be our shared prayer and let us be people of empathy, of compassion, of gratitude, and people of love.
Thank you and good afternoon.
Released: NEMA
For more information contact: Lindsay Thompson, Public Information Officer
Email: lindsaythompson@bahamas.gov.bs or NEMA@bahamas.gov.bs or nemabahamas242@gmail.com
Contacts: 242-322-6081/5 or 242-361-5569 or 242-376-2042
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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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