#Freeport, September 16, 2019 – Bahamas – NEMA took hurricane relief supplies directly to the residents of Grand Bahama in “Operation Relief Saturday,” September 14, 2019.
Deputy
Prime Minister the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, Minister of State for Grand Bahama
Senator Kwasi Thompson, President of the Senate and Coordinator for NEMA,
Senator Kay Forbes-Smith, along with volunteers gathered at Freeport Shipping
Services and unpacked huge pallets of hurricane relief items, sorted them and
put together “Care Packages” for Grand Bahamian residents.
Once the
packages were put together and sorted, they were loaded into large moving
trucks, flatbeds and other open trucks, where they were taken into various
neighborhoods throughout the island. Escorted by Defense Force officers NEMA
representatives went door to door, handing out supplies to each resident in
each neighborhood.
“Instead
of having the supplies remain in the warehouse, we want to make sure that once
they get in, they are delivered to the communities,” said Minister of State for
Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson.
“These
supplies that we see in this warehouse came in last night, so it is critical
for us to ensure that if they come in today that by tomorrow they go out.”
Minister
Thompson noted that while NEMA has set up a number of distribution centers
throughout the island, he said they are aware of the fact that a number of
people lost their vehicles during the storm as a result of flooding.
“We know
that some of the people are unable to make it to one of the distribution
points, so we felt it was important for us to take these supplies to the people
who may not be able to jump into a vehicle and drive to a distribution point.”
NEMA
Coordinator, Kay Forbes-Smith said that it was important for NEMA to go street
by street and door to door and give supplies to individuals. Referring to the
criticism that was floating around that the supplies were not getting to the
people who needed it, Senator Smith said such assertions were untrue.
“If we
have to walk it and truck it to the people, that’s what we’re going to do,”
said Senator Smith. “We are going to keep doing this so that we ensure that
these supplies get into the hands of the people who really need these supplies.
“We
ascertain the areas and communities in Grand Bahama that were hardest hit by
the hurricane and so we want to get to those people first. This is a disaster,
and it takes a lot of organization and planning and that’s what we’re doing
today.
“But the
most important thing that we can do is get these supplies into the hands of the
people who need them.”
The
effort was a massive operation, with over 100 volunteers who were busy
unpacking, sorting, packing and loading up trucks. In addition to
local and NEMA volunteers there was also a group of volunteers at the warehouse
from K1 Direct, an NGO and a regional response team based in St. Martin whose
specialty is assisting with distribution during a crisis. They are presently in
Grand Bahama to assist NEMA with distributing supplies to victims hit by
Hurricane Dorian.
“The
packages include items for a household of four, for four days,” explained Priya
Thirumur, the vice-president of K1. “It includes everything from food, to
cooking supplies, to hygiene products. From my experience, in
a disaster such as this, distribution is the most challenging and logistically
complicated process. One of the things that has really impressed me in coming
here to The Bahamas is that NEMA and ESF7 are very proactive. Everything that
comes in every day is going out to the community. With more manpower
now, we are able to get more stuff out more quickly.”
Minister
Thompson thanked all of the volunteers, including K1 and other international
volunteers, who are giving of their time to help do their part in trying to
bring some assistance to people who have really been devastated by the Category
5 hurricane.
Asked
about how he feels the relief efforts are going, Minister Thompson noted:
“obviously we went through a disaster with the storm and so not everything is
going to go smooth, but what is important though is that items are coming in
and those items are getting to the people.”
Tammy
Mitchell from NEMA said that the supplies are going to residents from East End
to West End, in every community. She said supplies are even being
distributed as far as Abaco and Sweeting’s Cay and that while the intention is
to get items out as quickly as possible, there is still a process that must be
followed.
“We
still have to check items, we still have to ensure that they are safe to go out
to the community,” said Mitchell. “As we’re packaging, nothing is being left
and no home is being left out. Every item that we’re taking in, we are trying
to get to the homes. We know that this island has been hit very
hard, but we’re doing our best to get all of these items out. But we
have to make sure that the process is being followed. We’re working
from sun up to sun down.”
As the
first truck load of care packages pulled out of the parking lot and headed into
Hawksbill, Minister Thompson was there and he assisted the Defence Force
officers in handing out the supplies. As one of the hardest hit
communities, the residents of Hawksbill expressed gratitude for having the
supplies come to them.
Residents
in Hawksbill who were busy on Saturday still removing soaked and mildewed
furniture and sheet rock from their homes, and dumping them in the front of
their yards, stopped their work and made their way to the truck in the streets
to collect their relief supplies, thankful that the aid came to them.
By Andrew Coakley
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
BIS Photos/Lisa Davis
Header: Minister Thompson decided to not only accompany the first load of supplies to residents in Hawksbill on Saturday, September 14, 2019, but he made his way to the back of the truck and lifted care boxes and cases of water for residents who made their way to the truck.
1st Insert: Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (left) and President of the Senate and NEMA coordinator, Kay Forbes-Smith (right), listens as Tammy Mitchell from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) explains what supplies recently arrived in Grand Bahama at the Freeport Ship Services Warehouse, on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Saturday was the launch of “Operation Relief Saturday,” where hurricane relief supplies were taken directly to the door of residents in need.
2nd Insert: Close to 100 local and international volunteers showed up at Freeport Ship Services Warehouse on Saturday, September 14, 2019 to unload, repack and load up hurricane relief supplies that were donated to the Bahamas from Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and other international donors.
3rd Insert: Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (on the truck, right) asks a resident of Hawksbill what he needed, during “Operation Relief Saturday.” Minister Thompson, accompanied by Defence Force Officers and volunteers, utilized a truck and handed out supplies to residents in one of the hardest hit areas of Freeport, following the passing of Hurricane Dorian.
After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale again this weekend, the show debuts Friday night.
Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew where shows are set for Brayton Hall, for Friday May 10 at 8pm and Saturday has two showings; matinee at 4pm and evening, 8pm.
Tickets are $75 VIP. General admission is $60.
“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attentattention.
The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.
“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”
And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.
Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. The full team returns on Friday, May 10 with the comedy production being held under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.
Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.
Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.
As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:
“The way that people have responded to it is non stop laughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”
NASSAU, Bahamas – Hundreds of people from around the world turned out in full force for the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 that took place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, May 4 -5, 2024.
This is the sixth edition of the relays and the fourth time that The Bahamas has hosted the event, which actually made its debut in The Bahamas in 2014.
President, World Athletics, Sabastian Coe said after three very successful editions from 2014 to 2017, the World Athletics Relays has quickly become one of the World Athletics vibrant competitions, developing a culture of fun and innovation that gives it a unique flavour.
He thanked the Bahamas Government, the local World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 committee and the Bahamian people for agreeing to host the relays. However, his main thanks were to the “world’s best sprinters” travelling from all the continents to compete in preparation for the road to Paris, France, in two months’ time.
During the opening ceremony, the athletes were given words of advice from Carl Lewis, one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
He said, “Keep it simple, do not try to do anything extra. Do what your coaches said. Leave on time, leave on time, leave on time.”
The athletes and crowds were treated to the sounds and sights of Junkanoo at the end of the opening ceremony. The Junkanoo performers stuck around for the two days of competitions, playing for the sprinters as they competed on the track.
Teams competed in the Women’s and men’s 4x100m, and the women’s men’s and mixed 4x400m. A total of 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 automatically qualified for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both days of competition were important, as day two offered another chance for qualifications for those teams unsuccessful on day one.
In fact, The Bahamas was able to take advantage of the second day of competition.
Bahamians were made proud as the country set a new national record during the mixed 4x400m relays thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Shania Adderley, a student of Tabernacle Baptist Academy.
The team came first in their heat on Sunday evening after not being able to gain a spot for the Paris Olympics on the first day of competition.
Other sprinters on the team included Alonzo Russell, as well as Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the World Athletics Relays 2024, on May 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis welcomed the special guests, athletes, officials, and “all lovers of athletics from around the world” to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in the “vibrant heart” of Nassau, Bahamas.
“This weekend, the world’s finest athletes gather on our shores to embark on a journey that is not only about speed and strength but also about dreams and determination,” Prime Minister Davis said. “From the serene beauty of our islands to the historic grandeur of Paris, this event marks a crucial path to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”
He added: “Here in The Bahamas, we are no strangers to world-class athletics or the warmth and exuberance that such international gatherings bring. It is a distinct honor to once again welcome the World Athletics Relays back to our islands. This event holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing a bridge between nations brought together by the universal language of sport.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that that year’s theme, “Paradise to Paris,” captured the essence of that journey.
“It is here, amidst the splendor of our sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic sway of our palms that the chase towards Olympic glory begins anew,” he stated. “We are thrilled to offer a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, where every sprint, every baton pass, and every victory lap is set against the picture-perfect canvas of our islands.”
He added: “To our athletes, I say this: as you stand on the precipice of your dreams, ready to catapult yourself into the annals of history, know that you are part of a legacy of excellence and determination. This weekend, you are not only competitors but also ambassadors of your countries and the spirit of sport. We are especially proud of Team Bahamas, who carry the weight of their performance and the hopes and pride of our nation. You embody the spirit of The Bahamian people, and we are behind you every step of the way.”
Prime Minister said that to the international visitors, he extended “the warmest Bahamian welcome”.
“Over the next few days, as you revel in the thrill of competition, take a moment to bask in the beauty of our island,” he stated. “Discover why we proudly say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas.” Whether it’s the hospitality of our people, the tranquility of our waters, or the rhythm of our culture, you are in for an experience that captures the heart and rejuvenates the soul.”
“Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sports foster, cheering every athlete and savoring the spectacle of human potential at its best,” Prime Minister Davis added. “I hope the races are swift, the results are inspiring, and the memories are lasting.
“Welcome to The Bahamas, the paradise where champions chase their dreams to Paris. As your host, it is my immense pleasure to declare the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 officially open. Let the games begin.”