Ladies and gentlemen, good morning,

I am truly delighted to be here this morning to be a part of this handover ceremony of these latest items from the United States Government to the Government of The Bahamas.

The United States Government through its Embassy here in Nassau and other US Agencies have for well over a decade been collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency and now the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction to assist with capacity building , and knowledge exchange in the areas of emergency and disaster mitigation, preparedness, relief , response and recovery.

Today’s presentation is a demonstration of a long and proven partnership, friendship and the sustainability of programs that have endured over the years.

The Whaly boat that is presented here, along with a medical stretcher, and life vests is one of twelve (12) sets what have been purchased to augment the equipment in twelve islands, where teams have been trained to assist in flood water rescue inland, rescue efforts for down aircraft in the marsh areas adjacent to airports, or assisting boats in distress in sight of land.

Those Islands where training has occurred over the past eight years includes: Abaco, Acklins, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, and Grand Bahama, long Island Mayaguana, New Providence, and North Andros.

The mobile emergency shelter System is a timely response to a request made by the Minister Lewis, particularly as we move into the second half of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season.

The shelter system is an impressive package. It should allow for the comfortable accommodating of up to 400 persons in an emergency or disaster stricken area. It is also capable of being equally divided for operation in two different locations or islands.

In addition to the presentations here today, the US Assistance programme has also been extended to provide assistance with the repairs to some thirteen-shelter facilities in Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Each facility, once assessed, was eligible to receive up to $15,000.00 in material assistance through a Minimum Cost Project Program. This programme is ongoing.

Further, earlier in the year, the Ministry received through the US Embassy and the US Northern Command funding through it Minimum Cost Project up to $90,000.00 to purchase emergency preparedness items, and PPEs. All items are a part of the restocking process of the three Emergency Relief Warehouse constructed by the US Government and it US Northern Command over the past two decades. Again, a sign of partnership, and sustainability of programmes.

In conclusion, I would like to say to all of our disaster committee members and residents throughout communities in The Bahamas, the items presented here, are a gift to us from partners and friends. They are to assist us in building our capacity to respond to emergencies and disaster in our communities. The Bahamas as an archipelago has its inherent challenges particularly when dealing with disasters.

It is our collective and individual responsibility to take care of the items, to ensure that they are operational and readily available for use when needed. It also calls for additional persons to come forth and volunteer to be a part of rescue teams or to assist with the managing of shelters and providing additional services or support in our communities, in order to save the lives and care for our loved ones who may need sheltering. Again a thank you to our partners and friends of the United States and Its Embassy here in The Bahamas, and leadership and members of the US Northern Command for these generous gifts of assistance to The Bahamas.

Goods Rightest Blessings

Thank you.