NASSAU, Bahamas ? The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is readying shelters throughout the country as the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches. NEMA and its partners headed by the Department of Social Services conducted a re-classification exercise of the 26 identified shelters on New Providence on Thursday, May 14, to ensure they are ready in the event a hurricane strike. The season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA, said that in accordance with the national emergency disaster plan, the inspection was to ensure that there are suitable shelter facilities throughout the country. ?We are vigorously trying to inspect proposed shelters to ensure that they are properly equipped in the event the country is faced with a disaster, especially a hurricane,? he said.

Inspection of Family Island shelters has already begun. Shelter managers workshops are also being scheduled. Captain Russell thanked NEMA?s international partners - the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), for their help in disaster management.

William Pratt, Assistant Director of Social Services said consent letters were sent to church leaders requesting their facilities to be used as shelters for the upcoming hurricane seasons. And, following a favourable response, an inspection is being carried out. Each facility will carry the sign, 'Emergency Hurricane Shelter' with the blue hurricane symbol on top, replacing the Red Cross symbol. Previously, school gyms were used as shelters but that ?posed a problem,? he explained. They were still occupied when school reopened.

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