The United States Embassy has donated $600,000 in equipment to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). A handover ceremony was held on Monday at NEMA headquarters. On hand at the event were officials of The Bahamas and the United States.
US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Lance Posey delivered remarks at the event. He said, “this is a sign of our commitment to preparedness, which will enable effective response and recovery. As close friends and partners to The Bahamas the US government, US Northcom and the US people don’t believe in simply showing up after disaster strikes. We know that the work done now is just as important as the work that’s yet to come. We’re here now and we’ll always be here ready to help side by side with our Bahamian neighbours.”
Speaking on behalf of the Bahamas government was Minister of State with responsibility for disaster preparedness, the Hon. Myles Laroda. “The islands receiving these generators are Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Mayaguana, and my island Crocked Island. The determination of which island would be supplied with generators was made following inspections in 2022 of the one hundred and forty three facilities that served hurricane and emergency shelters throughout The Bahamas. The US Northern Command has also partnered with the Disaster Reconstruction Authority to secure a generator for the Hurricane Shelter Community Shelter that is currently under construction in Abaco,” Laroda said.
Among the items donated were 28 generators and 6 reverse osmosis water systems.