Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon.Philip Davis told Abaconians that since coming into office last year, hisgovernment has done its best to ensure that the national response toHurricane Dorian was driven by compassion.

He pointed out that from the many conversations he’s had with Abacoresidents over the past few years, he’s come to understand how difficult it canbe to move forward, especially for those who were left without certainty aboutwhat happened to family and friends.

“Not knowing makes it so much harder to move on, harder to rebuild ourhomes, our businesses and our lives,” said Mr. Davis.

The Prime Minister was the keynote speaker during the National HurricaneDorian Memorial Service at Friendship Tabernacle Church in Marsh Harbour,Abaco, on Thursday, September 1, 2022 – the third anniversary of HurricaneDorian’s landfall (September 1, 2019).

In his address the Prime Minister told Abaconians that without closure, goodmental health was hard to regain.

“During the past year, we have made strenuous efforts to give an account foreach person, to say what happened to every individual, but the task has beenmade near-impossible,” said Mr. Davis. “Since 2019, the record-keeping hasbeen extremely poor.

“We do not know for certain, the names of those who are in those massgraves. We do not know for certain the fate of those we have not seen sincethe storm. We do not know for certain how all the donations and pledges havebeen used. What we do know is that you deserve better.

“Since coming into office last year, we have done the best we can to ensurethat the national response is driven by compassion. But there is still so muchmore to do.

“And so the lesson for all of us, especially those of Christian faith, is that‘remembering’ requires more than recollection. We must not only bringsomeone to mind, but we must then act on that person’s behalf. So today, aswe remember, we are also mindful of the need to act.”

As part of the act of remembrance, and as an act of respect, Prime MinisterDavis said he ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast onSeptember 1 st .

The Prime Minister said while there is still more work to be done in therebuilding phase, the government has done much to try and bring someclosure.

That work included changing the law, in relation to the presumption of death,to facilitate quicker settlement of insurance, banking and other commercialclaims.

He noted that the government has also completed the Technical Phase of thenew Abaco Hurricane Shelter. He said that the government has helped peoplebegin to move out of the domes, to cleaner, safer homes.

“It has not been easy, or perfect, but it is an important step in movingforward,” said Mr. Davis. “Where the domes stand now, there will soon benew housing, which is so badly needed.

“We have just launched a revamped ‘Homeowner Assistance and ReliefProgramme’, to provide real, urgent help to people, and do away with thechaos, confusion and unnecessary bureaucracy which came before.

“I want to say to you today that if you think progress has not unfolded quicklyenough, I agree. I could detail the budgetary and bureaucratic obstacles wefaced over the last year, but these kinds of explanations are of no use to you –you need action.

“And I am glad to say, that with the changes we’ve put in place, you will beable to see, touch and feel the results very soon, especially in the housingprogramme. For far too many of you, this is still so desperately needed. We aregoing to do our best to help bring relief and comfort in rebuilding yourcommunities.”

The Prime Minister told those who lost loved ones in the storm and who werepresent at the Memorial Service, one of the most difficult things about grief isfeeling alone – feeling the world has moved on, while they are still mourning.“So it is very important to me to tell you that you are not alone,” said PrimeMinister Davis.

“We are with you. Bahamians across our country are right now praying withyou, and for you, and for your loved ones. It is a cruel irony that the origin ofthe name ‘Dorian’ signifies ‘a gift’. Dorian was certainly a most unwelcome gift.But it is not the name Dorian that matters.

“It is your names that we hold dear, the names of those of you who survived totell the story of those terrible days. And it is the names of those who werelost, or perished, that we hold in our hearts. Each first name reminds us ofthat individual. Their surname reminds us of their family, of who their peopleare. And each act of remembrance hopefully brings some comfort, and somehealing.”