Hurricane Dorian Emergency Support

Hurricane Dorian caused $7 billion worth of damage in the Bahamas in September 2019. IsraAID delivered Emergency Response support, then transitioned to long-term Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Emergency Preparedness – because even as communities build back, they remain at high risk from new crises. DRR is a high priority for the Bahamian government and other national and international actors, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), with whom IsraAID works closely on the ground.

IsraAID has already begun renovating the community center by rebuilding the roof with hurricane-resistant materials; renovating the bathrooms; drilling a well; installing an electricity generator; providing emergency supplies; and delivering training and materials for activities. To celebrate a recent donation of hurricane-resistant windows, IsraAID Bahamas held a ceremony with relevant international partners, the church, and the community. 

IsraAID is installing hurricane-resistant windows for the Stronger Together Community Center in Grand Bahama as standard windows regularly shatter inward during hurricanes from high-force winds or the impact of flying debris. This is dangerous to those sheltering inside, and expensive to continually replace. Moreover, an impact fracture is often all a hurricane needs to create severe damage. Once flying debris has weakened the building’s structure, the roof can easily blow off. Pressurized hurricane air enters through a shattered window and mixes with low-pressure air inside a building, expanding rapidly – often with catastrophically destructive results.

The Stronger Together Community Center was established in partnership with the Church of God of Prophecy-Pinedale. After Hurricane Dorian, many families sheltered in their cars, without safe water access. The Center will ensure that families have their needs better met in future emergencies, as it is both a community center with structured activities, which help to increase the resilience of vulnerable populations such as youth and the elderly, and a fully equipped emergency shelter. This center is a cornerstone of IsraAID’s strategy to help the 14,200-person Eight Mile Rock community withstand future emergencies. 

Our partnership with Church of God of Prophecy allows the community using the Stronger Together Community Center to build their own resilience in the present, as well as in the future in the face of hurricanes. The Bridging the Gap tutoring program provides one-on-one and assistance for children who have spent time out of the traditional school system. The program not only supports the students' academic development but also emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The program strengthens the whole community; Debra Greene, one of the community volunteers involved in the project, has seen that also the parents have become more confident in supporting their children in their education.

To celebrate a recent donation of hurricane-resistant windows, IsraAID Bahamas held a ceremony with relevant international partners, the church, and the community. Pastor Keith Palmer spoke to the audience about how the Fellowship Hall has gone from being a church hall with limited resources that acted as a shelter in Hurricane Dorian to being "fully equipped to receive and handle persons who are challenged in the wake of any hurricane and other unknown disasters, that can come to our community or our country." 

As we build our community to be more resilient in anticipation of more hurricanes, we thank you for your continued support.