BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE death toll in The Bahamas currently stands at 20, and that number is expected to increase as officials make their way into two of the hardest affected islands following the passage of Hurricane Dorian.
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis confirmed the number late yesterday afternoon (Sept. 4) as rescues efforts continue in Grand Bahamas and Abaco – two of the hardest hit locations in the island chain.
Hurricane Dorian made landfall earlier in the week as a major Category 5 Storm, pounding the islands with winds of over 200 mph and remained over the island for 40 hours.
Images coming out of The Bahamas showed a state of complete destruction and chaos as people continue to be rescued from their homes.
As the rescue efforts continue, pledges of support are pouring from all across the region.
In a statement, the Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) said that it is monitoring with “much sadness the unfortunate passage of Hurricane Dorian over the islands of The Bahamas during the past two days”.
In lamenting the loss of lives, the Commission conveyed its deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased.
“The Commission is also mindful of the significant damage to physical infrastructure caused by the passage of the Category 5 Storm, and sympathises with those who may have suffered personal injury, or loss or damage to property.
“The people of the OECS region share the pain and suffering of the bereaved families and all others affected by this catastrophe and join their Governments in extending to the Government and people of The Bahamas deepest condolences in this difficult period.”
Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris also spoke of the hurricane and the impact it had on the people of The Bahamas.
Dr. Harris, who spoke with Prime Minister Minnis assured him that the people of the Federation are praying for The Bahamas, while encouraging him to stay strong.
Media reports suggest that St. Kitts-Nevis and members states of the OECS would each be giving US$100, 000 to The Bahamas as it recovers.
Barbados has pledged to urgently assist the Government of The Bahamas with relief in light of the devastation.
The island’s Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, said she had been in contact with the Government of The Bahamas and was “saddened by the tremendous devastation and suffering on the Bahamian people that have been unleashed by Dorian”.
She pledged to dispatch personnel and equipment from the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Coast Guard to assist the island.
“It is now clear that increasingly, all nations in this region are becoming more susceptible to the ravages of hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions, and while we are not the ones creating the conditions for global warming that fuels them, we certainly have no choice but to stand together to help each other when they come our way.
“The people of The Bahamas can rest assured that they are in our prayers, and that our resources, limited though they may be, will be deployed to help them through this most difficult time.”
Meanwhile, the Republic of China donated $20,000 worth of supplies to the island’s emergency officials as part of their efforts to assist those in need.
