ODPEM Update on Post Disaster Response in the Bahamas

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to support the Bahamas Response Operations being lead by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) continues to support post disaster response activities brought about by the impact of Hurricane Joaquin on several of the family islands of the central and southern Bahamas.

CDEMA on Monday October 5, 2015 deployed three Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Teams (RNATs) in response to a request from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the national disaster management agency of The Bahamas.

The three CDEMA Coordinating Unit led teams have been deployed to Long Island, Crooked Island and Acklins Island to conduct assessments of Damage to Critical Infrastructure and Housing, Water, Sanitation and Health, Telecommunications and coastal ecosystems for a period of two days.

During this period the teams will also be providing general disaster relief response and support. The Executive Director of CDEMA Mr. Ronald Jackson will join the Regional Contingent on Wednesday October 7, 2015. While there he will discuss the key findings, priority needs and recommendations with the Government of Bahamas.

CDEMA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Jamaica will on Monday October 12, 2015 convene a meeting of donor agencies to present the key findings of the assessment and explore further assistance to the affected islands of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as the recovery efforts get on the way.

ODPEM in its capacity as the Sub-Regional Focal Point for the Northwestern Caribbean will host the meeting. In addition to the Bahamas, Jamaica, as a Participating State of the CDEMA has sub regional focal point responsibility for the Turks and Caicos Island, Belize and Haiti.