In response to the reports of the devastation experienced in The Bahamas as a result of Hurricane Dorian, the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Allen Chastenet, has assured the island state of CARICOM’s solidarity and pledged to assist with whatever help may be required.
The chairman spoke of the “heavy hearts” of the Caribbean people on hearing of the severe battering meted out by Hurricane Dorian to one of its member states, with five deaths reported thus far in what Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has described as “a historic tragedy.” On behalf of Caribbean Community he expressed his deepest condolences “to all who have lost loved ones to this devastating storm.”
Chastenet recalled the severe devastation experienced by a number of CARICOM states just two years ago when Hurricanes Irma and Maria made landfall and noted that the Region continues to experience the effects of climate change.
He reminded that at the last CARICOM summit held in Saint Lucia in July under his chairmanship, Heads of Government considered options for financing Member States’ actions to build resilience to the effects of climate change, including the establishment of a Resilience Foundation, adding, “It is my fervent hope that this matter will be given new impetus in the coming months. Immediately, the emphasis must be on assisting our brothers and sisters in The Bahamas in getting back on their feet in the quickest possible time.”
The chairman disclosed that in advance of Hurricane Dorian, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) took the lead to coordinate the Regional Response Mechanism and deployed two Rapid Needs Assessment teams to The Bahamas. These teams will assist the government to assess the situation and facilitate the provision of immediate relief in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Chastanet promised that as soon as a needs list is prepared, that information will be disseminated to the public and wider Caribbean community. He exhorted all citizens both in the Region and throughout the diaspora to lend their support to the recovery effort and also appealed to the international community, governments and institutions, to “come forward and partner with us in helping The Bahamas through the difficult days and months ahead.”
