Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis called on the Christie administration yesterday to ensure the equal distribution of relief supplies to the communities that were devastated by Hurricane Joaquin.

"The severity of the situation in the southern Bahamas is such that we have taken steps to establish a command center last evening so that we are better able to help coordinate the assistance being offered," he said at a press conference at the Free National Movement's (FNM) headquarters.

"We intend to work with all government agencies and directly with residents on the ground.

"... I call upon the government to ensure that the proper mechanism is established and managed to ensure full transparency and equality in the distribution of relief to all the affected peoples and islands; to ensure the completion of damage assessment as rapidly as possible; to present to Parliament as soon as possible the damage assessment report and advise the nation of the steps the government is taking to address the situation."

Minnis said it is also incumbent on the government to ensure that the psychological needs of the affected populations are taken into account. Minnis also touched on the level of efficiency of the country's disaster preparedness operation.

"It is clear that there was a breakdown in the process of emergency preparedness, when one observes the comments and actions made and taken from across the spectrum," he said.

"We must conduct a frank review to determine the issues which affected our readiness in this particular circumstance and to implement the appropriate corrective measures to ensure that this never occurs again."

Many of the impacted residents said they had no advance warning of the impending storm and only found out when it was too late to prepare. When asked about the government's response to the disaster, which has been criticized in many quarters, Minnis said now is not the time to point fingers. He said Bahamians must come together to assist those who are most in need.

As a part of the FNM's relief response, Minnis said the party sent food, clothing, non-perishable items, water, generators and other relief items to the storm-impacted islands. He said the party also sent freezers to Acklins for the fishermen so that they could sustain their livelihoods. Additionally, he said the FNM is helping with the relocation of some of the victims who were evacuated from Crooked Island to New Providence.

On Monday, there were at least 45 people who left the island after they were displaced. Minnis said when he visited the island, mothers and their children told him they were forced to sleep in cars.

"To see babies sleeping in cars, that is not The Bahamas I would want to live in," he said.

"The FNM also intends to help with the rebuilding effort, and we have a list of construction workers who volunteered their services to help repair the homes of those residents in the Family Islands. The FNM also intends to help with the rebuilding effort," Minnis said.

Minnis said the FNM will provide some building materials. So far the party has secured $25,000 worth of construction supplies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to assure you that we are working assiduously in the forefront and behind the scenes using all available resources at our disposal, to assist the affected people and islands in the short and medium term" Minnis said.

"We recognize that the task is a monumental one indeed and all hands are required if we are to be successful."

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