Prime Minister Perry Christie and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit tour hurricane-ravaged areas in Andros and Grand Bahama. Pictured in West End, Grand Bahama on Wednesday October 14 are Skerrit, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque,  Christie, Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell and other officials.

The Rapid Needs Assessment Teams (RNATs) deployed to The Bahamas by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) have reported on their findings, and made recommendations to the government as to what steps should be taken in the recovery effort following the walloping The Bahamas took from Hurricane Matthew.

The teams were deployed to Andros, Grand Bahama and New Providence between October 9 and 12 and redeployed on October 14. They focused on health, water, sanitation and hygiene, coastal, education, communications, critical infrastructure and emergency response coordination.

The Grand Bahama RNAT conducted two and a half day rapid assessments in West End and the Hawksbill area, which includes Hunter's, Lewis Yard, Mack Town, Beck Town and Pinder's Point.

The immediate needs identified by NEMA's Grand Bahama representative include generators (brand and model Generac 15000 series), chain saws, grinding and chipping equipment for fallen trees, water for the worst hit areas, food, tarpaulins and baby supplies.

Alternative shelter arrangements are required, especially for the residents who have returned to their coastal homes in West End.

According to the CDEMA report, six communities of North Andros; Red Bays, Lowe Sound, Morgans Bluff, Nicholls Town, Conch Sound and Mastic Point were assessed.

The immediate needs identified include relief supplies for affected population (food, water and toiletries); surge capacity for relief supplies management; surge capacity for damage assessments; building materials (primarily roofing materials); psychosocial support, surge capacity for health education and surge capacity for vector control.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), "surge" means the swift deployment of experienced coordination experts and other specialized humanitarian personnel, and "surge capacity" is used when there are unforeseen emergencies and disasters.

With respect to New Providence, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) identified the most affected areas being Southern Shores, Bains Town, Yamacraw, Lumumba Lane, Sea Breeze and Misty Gardens. According to the RNAT, some of the needs identified include tarpaulins to provide temporary roofing, food, water, cleaning agents, sleeping cots/beds and psychological support.

Donations
As reported by Guardian Business, the governments of Dominica and the Turks and Caicos have pledged cash donations to The Bahamas for the recovery effort: $100,000 from Dominica, and $150,000 from the Turks and Caicos.

And the Caribbean Development Bank has contacted The Bahamas about accessing the Emergency Relief Grant of $200,000.

Global Affairs Canada is making CAN$4.58M available to "the region".

K. Quincy Parker, Guardian Business Editor

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