#TheBahamas – May 13, 2020 – Officials at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and its Secretariat, and the Disability Affairs Division of the Department of Social Services, have been diligently working hand-in-hand to ensure that both the needs of regular and new clients who are persons with disabilities are being addressed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Mrs. Desiree Clarke, Deputy Executive Secretary, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) at work in her office at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development. Officials at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and its Secretariat, and the Disability Affairs Division of the Department of Social Services, have been diligently working hand-in-hand to ensure that both the needs of regular and new clients who are persons with disabilities are being addressed during the COVID-19 Pandemic. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
The collaboration is part of the Ministry
of Social Services and Urban Development’s continued efforts to ensure that all
of its human and other resources are brought to bear in the delivery of social
assistance.
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Provisions have been made for persons
with disabilities who are not clients of the Department, to provide their
information via telephone to the Social Workers at the Disability Affairs
Division so that they can receive Emergency Food Assistance. They are required
to show their ID’s upon collection. Persons with disabilities can contact the
Disability Affairs Division at telephone: 325-2251/2 for assistance.
Officials at the Disability Affairs
Division have also collaborated with The Bahamas Red Cross to ensure that
persons with disabilities are part of the Red Cross’ Meals on Wheels Programme.
Meanwhile, officials at the National
Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and its Secretariat, have established
a 24hr call and whats app line at 376-8328 as part of the measures it has
implemented to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are being met
and with a view of bringing any outstanding matters to a speedy resolution.
The Commission and its
Secretariat have also been liaising with the relevant Non-Governmental
Organizations to ensure that persons with disabilities have sufficient food,
medical supplies, and protective equipment to ensure their safety and
protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Other initiatives have
included working closely with members of the Blind Community and the
Association of Banking and Clearing Houses in The Bahamas to enhance and
improve members of the community’s banking experience, and ensuring that persons
with disabilities have access to, and receive the benefits and assistance due
them, and that they remain safe, protected and have the necessary items for
their continued well-being.
Additionally, they have ensured that persons
with disabilities who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have access to information
being disseminated from the media through the participation of a Sign
Interpreter on all national broadcasts and have assisted persons with
disabilities and other able-bodied persons to obtain wheelchairs by
liaising with The Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled.
Administrators have updated the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities website to reflect information relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic; answered and responded to emails from family members/persons with disabilities concerns relative to COVID-19, all while performing the general administrative duties of The Secretariat by assisting the fifteen Commissioners of The NCPD who ensure that the Provisions contained in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Bill, 2014 are adhered to.
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#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.
This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.
This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper, was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”
The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.
Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”
Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.
Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.
Defence Headquarters 28 SEP ’23: HMBS P-45 under the command of Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith detained a group of Cuban migrants in Cistern Cay, Exuma on September 27, 2023, due to information received from a Good Samaritan vessel in the area that handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Members of HMBS P-45 retrieved twenty-eight (28) Cuban nationals and transported them to HMBS Coral Harbour in New Providence. All individuals appeared to be in good health and will undergo further processing and assessment by Immigration officials.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage and appreciates the sharing of information and intelligence provided by the boating community to affect migrants and other unlawful interdictions at sea.
(For additional information, contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel).
#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.