Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres commended the National Emergency Management Agency and The Bahamas Government at large, on its response in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.
During his Visit to The Bahamas, he met with the NEMA committee at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) on Friday, September 13, 2019. He was accompanied by the Most Hon Dr Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister and members of his UN staff.
He met in a briefing, which included Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Nicole Campbell, NEMA Spokesperson Carl Smith and John Michael Clarke, chair of Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Committee.
He then interacted with Emergency Support Functions groupings in the NEOC.
“I am really extremely impressed by your hard work; NEMA and the Government,” said Mr. Guterres. He noted that the UN recognized it was a very catastrophic event and commended The Bahamas’ ability to respond quickly.
He also commended the local and international partners on their level of response so far. “All these efforts have been outstanding and we hope that the International community (also) responds to rebuilding,” he said.
Captain Russell spoke to about the local, regional and international communities, specifically The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) and many others who came in to lend technical and humanitarian support.
Hurricane Dorian impacted North Abaco and East Grand Bahama and at September 13, the death count was 52 and 1,3000 people missing.
Secretary General of the United Nations Anton António Guterres poses for a photo op after visiting at the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) National Emergency Operations Centre on Friday ,September 13, 2019. Pictured out font are Mr. Guterres and the Most Hon Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister, Far left back row is Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA.
Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) National Emergency Operations Centre and interacted with emergency support functions groupings on Friday, September 13, 2019. Pictured out font are Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA; Mr. Guterres; and Nicole Campbell, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister.
(BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna)
