Bahamas News
NEMA leads by example in preparation for 2022 Hurricane Season
By: Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, May 2, 2022 – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is leading by example when it comes to preparation in advance of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season which is expected to be an above-average season with 19 named storms, 9 expected to become hurricanes and 4 forecasted to become major hurricanes.
Those preparations include the completion of a Comprehensive Disaster Management Audit that was conducted by CDEMA (the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency). The aim of the audit was to review the country’s level of preparedness in the areas of mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and financial arrangements for disasters. CDEMA has also provided support to NEMA with its warehouse inventory management and logistics programme that will enable the Agency, “to more effectively deal with the tons of solicited and unsolicited relief items.”
The Agency has also agreed in principle with food distributors to make food available on short notice; water distributors to make water available on short notice; shipping companies to provide services as necessary, and airline companies to make their services available as necessary — all to support the national emergency response
mechanism.
NEMA, the Department of Meteorology and The Bahamas National Geographical Information Systems (BNGIS) have been working along with various US and UK partners on a Weather Ready Nation (WRN) Programme that will better enable the noted agencies to provide impact-based forecasting, and storm surge modeling – a feature Disaster Managers are hailing as “a huge capability.”
Captain Stephen Russell, NEMA’s Director, said over the past two months, Family Island Districts – “led by administrators and assisted by Council Members, Heads of Government departments and knowledgeable locals” — have been meeting to review their local Comprehensive Disaster Management Plans.
“It is our aim to finalize this activity this week so that the Plan can be approved for implementation very soon,” Captain Russell added.
Furthermore, the Agency continued its efforts to strengthen partnerships with the Urban Renewal Commission, the National Neighbourhood Crime Watch Council, and The Bahamas National Council for Disability. Through these partnerships — NEMA continues to implement its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, a programme that educates community volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and train them in basic disaster response skills.
Over the past three months, the Agency has been working with partners from the United States Northern Command and the Pacific Disaster Center in planning and executing our annual table top exercises titles: “Restoration Island Cays.” Over the past week an exercise was conducted with Family Island Disaster Consultative Committees to test their various systems. A national simulation exercise is scheduled for the month of June.
The Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, met in a series of meetings with officials from the United States’ and the United Kingdom’s Governments respectively to finalize Status of Force Agreements in the event there is the need for external military assistance as a result of a disaster.
NEMA’s Disaster Management Committee and Emergency Support Function groups have also commenced their series of planning meetings to ensure that all groups are able to perform their functions in an efficient and cost-
effective manner prior to, during, and in the aftermath of an emergency or disaster.
Addressing a Press Conference held at the National Emergency Management Agency’s Headquarters, Gladstone Road, to launch National Disaster Preparedness Month (May will be observed as National Disaster Preparedness Month under the theme: “Strengthening Community Readiness for a Better Tomorrow”) Captain Russell said NEMA, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Meteorology, over the past week, have held meetings with officials from the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facilities (CCRIF) to review the current insurance policy, and to examine the best possible options before renewing the policies.
“The Shelter Emergency Support Function group,” Captain Russell continued, “has been spearheading the task of having all shelters throughout The Bahamas inspected to determine which facilities will be available for this season. Over the past year, as many of you may be aware, through our U.S. military partners, NEMA was able to acquire a mobile shelter system which can accommodate some 400 persons. The system also comprises showers and toilets and a field kitchen.”
The NEMA Director said the Agency’s preparations commenced even prior to 2022.
“Over the past year, additional Flood Water Rescue equipment have been transported to 11 islands where teams have been trained in the past. Over the past year, VHF radios and Repeaters Systems have been installed in 16 communities to support local community emergency communications.
“NEMA and our partners have reviewed the Coroner’s Report following the investigation after Hurricane Dorian, and plans are being developed to more efficiently and effectively care for the deceased, God forbid, in the aftermath of a disaster,” Captain Russell said.
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: NEMA Director, Captain Stephen Russell, detailing the Agency’s preparations in advance of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season that begins June 1 and ends November 30.
(BIS Photo/Mark Ford)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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