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VOL. 31 - NO. 141
C Death Toll Now 51
BY BERTHONY MCDERMOTT
Journal Staff Writer
abinet is in dis-
cussion about
what Prime
Minister Dr.
Hubert Minnis yesterday
called a man camp and
tent city for Abaco evac-
uees in hopes that as
many of them as possible
return home to help
rebuild the hurricane torn
island.
“The man camp will be
able to house all staff per-
sonnel who have travelled
with their staff so that
they can rebuild, clean up
the island excreta, but we
must also have what we
g See page 2...
Cayman Islands donate medICal supplIes
4 Yesterday, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis accepted a donation of medical supplies from the Premier of the Cayman Islands, the Hon. Alden
McLaughlin. The presentation took place at the Office of the Prime Minister. (Photos: Yontalay Bowe)
BY BERTHONY MCDERMOTT
Journal Staff Writer
The Cayman Islands yes-
terday donated medical
supplies to The Bahamas
to assist with the recovery
efforts.
A L L T H E
TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2019
BY DEANDRE WILLIAMSON
Journal Staff Writer
The official Hurricane
Dorian death toll
increased to 51, according
to Commissioner of
Police Anthony Ferguson.
Ferguson said shortly
after 10 a.m. on Monday,
the decomposed body of a
Caucasian male was
recovered in Marsh
Harbour, Abaco.
Overall, 43 dead bodies
were recovered in Abaco
Prime Minister Dr.
Hubert Minnis said hav-
ing endured hurricanes as
well, Cayman understands
and knows the need for
medication following a
disaster like Dorian.
“His country has expe-
N E W S Y O U
and eight in Grand
Bahama.
“We recognize that
many persons are pre-
sumed missing and we
anticipate the discovery of
more deceased persons, as
the process of search and
recovery progresses. As
there are many more per-
sons presume missing,
since they have not been
seen or heard from since
the passage of hurricane
g See page 4...
rienced a number of hurri-
canes and he understands
and knows what the emer-
gency medical needs from
experience itself,” Dr.
Minnis said.
“As a result, they were
able to donate that type of
N E E D
4 Commissioner Anthony Ferguson
medication knowing that
we would need it immedi-
ately, not only in a few
hospitals, but we would
need them in our commu-
nities to ensure that
patients will receive the
proper medication and
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Debris
Makes
Recovery
Difficult
BY EARYEL BOWLEG
Journal Staff Writer
Rescue teams from the
U.S. and Canada are
experiencing trouble with
search and recovery
efforts due to debris.
National Emergency
Management Agency
(NEMA) Director
Captain Stephan Russell
said at the agency’s daily
press conference on
Monday that a clean-up
of the island needs to be
done.
“You would have seen
huge 20 containers spread
across the whole commu-
nities. Again now, they
‘Millions for
g See page 4...
Healthcare
Recovery
after Dorian’
BY EARYEL BOWLEG
Journal Staff Writer
Minster of Health Dr.
Duane Sands said it will
cost “many millions of
dollars” for the healthcare
facilities in Abaco and
Grand Bahama to recover
after Hurricane Dorian.
He was unable to esti-
mate the total amount of
there is no possibility or damage or long term
shortage of medical sup- affect Hurricane Dorian
plies.” has had on the healthcare
Handing over the gift system.
was Cayman’s Premier “We don’t really
Cayman Alden know,” the minister
g See page 3... g See page 4...
I N T H E M O R N I N G
 ‘Reverse Hurricane
A2 The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019 NationalNEWS

Coordinators Appointment’
BY DEANDRE WILLIAMSON
Journal Staff Writer
Opposition Leader Philip
Davis is calling for the
reversal and reconsidera-
tion of the prime minis-
ter’s appointment of the
hurricane relief coordina-
tors, as he said they are
“not in accordance with
best practices and violate
constitutional norms”.
“It is inappropriate for
the president of the
Senate to work for the
executive branch of the
government, subject to
decisions and orders of
the executive. We would
not tolerate the speaker of
the house working for the
government and so the
whether for pay or with-
out pay,” Davis said on
Sunday.
Last week, Prime
Minister Dr. Hubert
Minnis appointed
Permanent Secretary Jack
Thompson and Bahamas
Aquatics Federation
President Algernon
Cargill as hurricane relief
coordinators for Abaco
and Senate President K.
Forbes Smith as coordi-
nator in Grand Bahama.
According to Davis,
Smith’s appointment
“ignores the salutary and
beneficial importance of
the separation of powers,
again clearly demonstrat-
ing that the rule of law
means absolutely nothing
Smith is already in con-
troversy because of her
links to a commercial
venture in Freeport which
requires government
approvals,” Davis added.
“Her appointment
causes us to wonder what
the other members of the
government who are from
Freeport are doing: Peter
Turnquest, the deputy
prime minister and minis-
ter of finance, Michael
Pintard, the minister for
agriculture, and Kwasi
Thompson, the minister
for Grand Bahama. Is
Kay Forbes Smith going
to displace these minis-
ters and if so, how so
when she has no statutory
executive authority?
figure who invites divi-
sion and not the unity
which is required at a
time like this.”
Davis also noted that
Cargill appointment also
invites controversy.
“His reappointment to
the service was the sub-
ject of controversy and
adverse commentary,
given his previous role in
the service. The prime
minister has made an
unwise choice in bring-
ing him back,” Davis
said.
“We are of the consid- 4 Opposition Leader Philip Davis
ered view that these
appointments have added getting to those who need Clarke, along with a per-
an unnecessary layer to it, bring political consid- manent secretary were
and so elevated the level erations into the relief supposed to be managing
of bureaucracy that the effort and will simply hurricane relief. How

Man Shot Dead on Man Shot Dead in

president of the Senate to the FNM, but is meant “Additionally, Kay process of relief and spread confusion. many cooks are required
should not be working for to apply to others”. Forbes Smith is a known recovery will be signifi- “It was not too long for this proverbial
the government either, “Further, Kay Forbes politically controversial cantly slowed down from ago that John Michael broth?”

Johnson Road Coconut Grove

BY BERTHONY MCDERMOTT
Journal Staff Writer
An early morning
shooting yesterday on
Johnson Road, just
opposite Kelly Lane
left a man dead,
Solomon Cash, officer from the vehicle and
in charge at Central opened fire on them. Police are investigating a shooting of a white vehicle opened fire in his
Detective Unit, said. We can tell you that we incident that occurred on Sunday direction, hitting him about the
“The officers con- suspect that the victim and left a man dead. body, before speeding away.
tacted EMS who came is a security officer. According to police, shortly The injured man was transported
and pronounced the “I don’t know exact- before 7 p.m., a man was standing in to hospital and later succumbed to
male deceased on the ly what company he front of a home on First Street, his injuries.
scene. The only infor- works for, we don’t Coconut Grove when the occupants Investigations are ongoing.

according to police.
“Once the officers
arrived on the scene
they met the lifeless
body of a male who
was standing right here
in the parking lot of
Legal Notice
mation we are working know the motive for
with is that shortly after this latest homicide, but
7a.m. the male was in we are appealing to
this area, standing. members of the public
“We suspect he was who live in this area to
waiting on a ride when and were passing dur-
he was approached by ing the time of the inci-

Surinamese
this apartment com- two individuals who dent to contact police.”
plex,” Chief were in a Japanese type Investigations are
Superintendent vehicle. They emerged ongoing.

Woman Found
with Cocaine
A Surinamese woman was arrested on processed and searched and found in
Sunday at the Bahamas Immigration possession of 11 packages of suspected

Abaco Tent City

Detention Center after she was found in
possession of dangerous drugs.
According to police, shortly after 11
a.m., the woman arrived in The Bahamas
via Copa Airlines from Panama and was
refused entry by Bahamas Immigration.
The woman was transported to the
Detention Center where she was
cocaine.
Police said the drugs weighed 10.4
pounds and has a street value of
$68,000.
The woman was taken into custody
and is expected to be formally charged
before in the Magistrate’s Court later
this week.

g Continued from / PAGE 1...
call a tent city,” Dr.
Minnis said.
“It’s not like the stan-
dard tents that you may be
familiar with, but a tent
city will have bathroom
facilities, each unit will
have two bedroom facili-
ties and recreational facil-
ity.
“You will also have a
facility for police, dining
facility and cafeteria facil-
ity so it’s really a city.”
He stressed that this is
only temporary.
“We feel that it is
essential to move the indi-
viduals from New
Providence back to this
environment with every-
thing inclusive of school-
ing facility,” the prime
minister said.
“That can only remain
for a certain length of
time because after six
months to a year, those
individuals will become
agitated and want to move
into different types of
facilities.
“Therefore, we will
also take that into consid-
eration, also knowing that
this is just a transitional
phase.”
The prime minister
expressed hope that both
temporary facilities will
be completed soon.
At last count, 2,000
plus evacuees were being
housed in 13 shelters
across New Providence
alone.
CAYMAN ISLANDS DONATE
NationalNEWS
The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019 A3

MEDICAL SUPPLIES
g Continued from / PAGE 1...
Mclaughlin who stressed
the importance of coming
personally to make the
generous donation.
“We know firsthand
what you are going
through, although Dorian
is like nothing anyone
has ever seen before
quite frankly,”
McLaughlin said.
“So it was important
for us not to be able to
just deploy a helicopter
Islands, our solidarity,
our sympathy and our
In fact, India donated
$1 million to recovery
accountant there and we
have added additional
invoices are there,
accountability and trans-
and crew to help or undertaking to help in efforts just a few hours financial staff so as to parency is there and they
indeed just to provide any way going forward before Cayman did. monitor and due the nec- would report regularly to
some support in terms of that we possibly can, While the prime min- essary invoicing and the nation as to the
medical supplies. using our experiences to ister still could not give a auditing of what are monies that were
“However, I wanted to assist and guide some of figure as to how much received,” Dr. Minnis received and how the
come personally to speak the recovery efforts.” money has been received said. monies were spent so that
to the prime minister The Cayman Islands thus far, he said NEMA “Then in addition to we would have overt
whom I know and to con- join a number of other has additional financial that, we have a private accountability.
vey on behalf of the peo- countries and private sec- manpower to assist in accounting firm or team “Because the one thing
ple of the Cayman tor organizations that keeping an account of the that will do the necessary I don’t want, I don’t want
Islands and the govern- have donated to recovery money coming in. audit to ensure that anybody to call me no
ment of the Cayman efforts. “We have added an everything including all thief.”

natIonal oIl spIll ContIngenCy advIsory

CommIttee Convened regardIng oIl spIll In gB

4 A National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC) convened September 16, 2019 to provide oversight and direction of NEMA's initiatives to manage
an oil spill that occurred at Equinor storage and transshipment terminal, South Riding Point, Grand Bahama, during Hurricane Dorian. The event has necessitated
international assistance from the United States Coast Guard with a view to addressing concomitant environmental concerns for the terrestrial and marine environs
where the spillage occurred. (BiS Photo/derek Smith)
Death Toll
A4 The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019 NationalNEWS

g Continued from / PAGE 1...

Dorian, we are appealing to family mem- Police Force along with our local and
bers to file missing person’s reports with international law enforcement partners to

Debris Makes
the police,” Ferguson said.
“We offer sincere condolence to those
families who had love ones died during
the hurricane. Please know that every
effort is being made by Royal Bahamas
bring relief and closure for everyone.”
Last week, former Prime Minister
Hubert Ingraham, following his assess-
ment of Abaco, said the death toll is in the
hundreds.

Recovery Difficult
g Continued from / PAGE 1...
would have gone as far as
they can with resource
they have – sniffer dogs,”
Russell said.
“We now need to start
lifting those heavy equip-
ment or containers out of
the way, cars out of the
way, so we can really get
down to the ground level
so they can see anybody.”
The teams with dogs
are looking for the miss-
ing or dead and have been
working on a grid system,
making sure they cover as
much of Abaco as possi-
ble.
Reports that there are
many bodies have circulat-
ed, but
Commissioner of Police A
nthony Ferguson said no
bodies have been reported
for police to collect,
despite it being widely cir-
culated on social media
that there are hundreds of
bodies.
“I believe if people see
bodies, I believe they will
tell us and we will
respond, but I have no
information of people see-
ing bodies lying anywhere
and we have not respond-
ed,” Ferguson said.
“We are far from really
covering that area down
there is vast. It’s not
something that will hap-
pen overnight.
“As soon as that
process is done, then I’ll
be in a position to make
some comments.”
In the meantime,
NEMA is trying to restore
basic services and lifeline,
even on a temporary basis.
This includes road net-
work, bridges and airports.

‘Millions for Healthcare

4 Homes and Businesses are unrecognizable in Abaco. Hurricane Dorian uprooted trees
and destoyed buildings leaving debris scattered all over the island. (BIS photo)

Recovery after Dorian’

g Continued from / PAGE 1...
admitted.
“Certainly, we have
benefited from tremen-
dous offers of assistance
and if these offers
fruition, it is possible that
the healthcare system can
emerge better after
Dorian recover than
before.”
A total of four facilities
located in Green Turtle
Cay, West End,
Sweeting’s Cay and
Grand Cay are to be
assessed and there was a
scheduled site visit on
Monday in Grand
Bahama.
Dr. Sands noted that an
equipment assessment is
needed as well.
He also gave an update
on how medical facilities
are operating on the
affected islands.
In Abaco, clinics in
Marsh Harbour, Fox
Town, Moore’s Island
and Sandy Point are all
operational, according to
Dr. Sands, and they are
being staffed by local
nurses, relief healthcare
workers from New
Providence and volunteer
teams.
He added that
Cooper’s Town Clinic is
partially operational due
to roof damages and is
currently staffed by a vol-
unteer team and Hope
Town and Man O War
Cay clinics are non-oper-
ational.
Mobile and fixed vol-
unteer teams have been
stationed and are provid-
ing care to areas where
clinics are partially or
non-operational.
The Heart to Heart
International group is
working out of Treasure
Cay, the Rubicon Group
is giving care at Hope
Town and Humanity First
is assisting in Cooper’s
Town, Abaco.
As for Grand Bahama,
the Rand Memorial
Hospital is partially oper-
ational as it sustained sig-
nificant damage due to
flooding.
Samaritan’s Purse has
erected a temporary field.
High Rock, McCleans
Town and Pelican Point
were destroyed and
International Medical
Corp is providing health
services to those areas.
A local daily reported
this past weekend that
mother-of-two Annora
Kemp died at the Rand
Memorial Hospital as a
result of being unable to
get dialysis during
Hurricane Dorian,
according to her aunt.
Dr. Sands said the
nature of her death was
considered “a storm-
related death” and that
officials are going to do
“a more thorough case
evaluation,” if there are
confounding factors.
“The overwhelming
majority of persons
requiring dialysis in
Abaco and Grand
Bahama where able to be
dialyzed,” he said.
“I don’t think that we
know categorically
exactly how many per-
sons what have exacer-
bated of their chronic ill-
ness because of the storm
- loss of their medication,
inability to access servic-
es.
“It is the reason why
we have been extremely
aggressive in restoring
services on both islands
and in most communities.
“At this time, I wish
to encourage those
directly and indirectly
affected by Hurricane
Dorian to find a trusted
friend or mental health
institution to assist with
mental and psychological
help after tackling this
historic disaster. Take
care of your physical,
spiritual and mental
health.”

Where Was God
When Dorian Hit?
Theologizing Human Suffering
I begin with two (2) insightful passages
of scripture:
Isaiah 22:5 which states “For it is a day
of trouble, and of treading down, and of
perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in
the valley of vision, breaking down the
walls, and of crying to the mountains.”
Job 2:6 which states “And the LORD
said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand;
but save his life.”
The age-old question about human suf-
fering, wrong and evil, came to the fore
again due to the devastation, destruction
and even death which Hurricane Dorian
caused.
Pain, suffering and hopelessness
pierced our souls; and personally, I was
gripped with a sense of helplessness.
Why God, why?
In the face of the devastation, we do
wonder, “Why Lord?” “What is God say-
ing?” “Why does a loving, all-powerful
God permit these things?” “Where is
Almighty God in all this?”
Mind you, when good things happen,
when we are recipients of multiple bless-
ings, we take the credit and most times
we make no reference to God.
The problem of human suffering, espe-
cially those that come from nature’s fury,
accidents and structured, intentional evil,
all point in one direction. Since so much
evil exists, then an omnipotent, loving
God must not exist.
For many persons, all this suffering,
destruction and death all proves that there
is no God – and if He does exist, He is
just not involved in human activity, nor
does He care. (Agnosticism)
Is not God all powerful?
Agnostics, atheist and skeptics say
there is no God, and when you see all this
destruction, you must conclude that a lov-
ing God does not exist. And if there is a
God, He cannot be omnipotent.
If God is able, but not willing, then He
must be malevolent.
If God is able and willing, then why
does he allow such destruction and death?
If God is neither willing nor able to
stop all this destruction, then WHY
CALL HIM GOD?
The argument and core of that position
is compelling and attractive; and most
thinking people wrestle with atheistic and
agnostic thoughts.
Our Sense of Right & Wrong
However, even a fifth-grade dropout
might ask in the face of human suffering,
wrongdoings, evil and storms, from
whence cometh our sense of right and
wrong? Why do we have a deep repug-
nance against wrong?
We believe that life should be better
even when we participate in wrong
things.
A man only calls a line crooked
because he has a sense of what a straight
line looks like.
Human suffering and evil do not
negate God. In fact, they indicate the
human need to connect – or reconnect –
with God.
One philosopher said, “If there was no
God, humans would have to create one.”
We need a source, a spirit, a power out-
side of ourselves.
Human history is replete with the inci-
dences of wrong, destruction and suffer-
ing – and we need a power outside our-
selves.
We hate and despise human suffering
because we harbor, on subliminal level, a
better life.
In Christian understanding, God’s
permissive will cannot overtake His
ultimate purpose
In the biblical story of Job, a perfect
and upright man loses everything. We
GOT NEWS?
should note that God “accommodated”
Satan and gives him permission to assault
Please call The Bahama
Journal’s News TIP
LINE at 356-7254
and let us know!
EditorialNEWS
Bishop Simeon B. Hall
Job.
God permits Satan to afflict Job
because He knew Job would still worship
Him. (Job 1: 20)
By the way, look at the story – be it
anecdotal or real: God calls a heavenly
meeting for His sons, and Satan comes
into the meeting. God does not bind him,
or rebuke Satan, but points him to his ser-
vant Job.
God points out Job to Satan and gives
Satan permission to afflict Job.
People, even nations who serve God
sometimes experience great tragedies –
often because God knows that the people,
unlike some others, will never “curse
God and die”.
We prove God exists because we reach
outside of ourselves for something better
than where we are on this mundane level
of existence.
God is mysterious
This transcendent God is shrouded in
mystery. The finite cannot fully compre-
hend infinity.
The pain of human suffering is
eclipsed by the inescapable truth that we
are more than flesh and blood, arteries
and capillaries. We are spiritual beings
and something in each of us longs to
reconnect with that God who transcends
the physical frame and the seasons.
I Believe in God
Every bad thing that happens to us,
even those which we cause to ourselves,
pushes us to the powerful, spirit being
outside ourselves.
He is mysterious, but you need not
doubt Him. Like Job, worship Him even
when everything is going wrong.
I believe in God because the complex-
ity of the human make-up points to delib-
erate creator who creates and sustains.
I believe the universe had a start. Who
started it?
I believe God exists because He pur-
sues us.
We want good things because of our
concept of a good God.
I believe in God because the historical
facts show that Jesus Christ walked the
earth as a physical manifestation of God
involved in human history.
In your time of tragedy, you need not
doubt God’s existence. And even if you
deny His existence, He will never deny
that you’re created by Him to give Him
praise and worship.
As hard as it is to accept, is there
another nation on this region that could
have withstood Dorian as The Bahamas
has?
God’s ultimate purpose is for our good
and we will discover that good when we
worship Him in spite of calamities.
Where was God during Hurricane
Dorian? He was right where He was
when His Son hung on the Cross for you
and for me – and we all know the victori-
ous, world-changing end to that story.
Bishop Simeon B. Hall
Senior Pastor Emeritus
New Covenant Baptist Church
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019
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ADVICE AFTER
E D I T O R
DORIAN
In times of crisis, the nation looks to
its religious leaders for words of con-
solation and advice. There is no doubt
that the various programmes on Radio
Love 97 have given opportunities to
the Clerics of the nation to express
themselves in the aftermath of the
killer hurricane Dorian that is respon-
sible for the deaths of hundreds of res-
idents of Abaco and Grand Bahama.
One such leader is the retired
Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese
of the Province of the West Indies, the
Most Reverend Drexel Gomez. He
says the state of destruction in Abaco
in particular provides the opportunity
to the government to replan that
island. “This replanning will be a
tribute to our resolve to mate it a bet-
ter place,” he said. We agree with the
sentiments of the Bishop which comes
on the heels of an announcement by
the Minister of Housing and the
Environment who issued a prohibi-
tion to build order for areas in Abaco
known as The Mudd, Pigeon Pea,
Sand Bank and the Farm Road com-
munity. The order, which is valid for
at least six months, mandates that “no
person shall erect any new building or
development for the purposes of resid-
ing or carrying out any commercial
activity in the identified areas.
The Ministry said the order may be
extended for further periods of up to
six months as required. It also noted
that the purpose of the order is to
allow for recovery of storm debris
related to Hurricane Dorian. It is
our counsel to the government to
ensure that this order is strictly
enforced in order to create a new
Marsh Harbour that is envisioned by
Bishop Gomez and a vast number of
Bahamians who wish to see Abaco
reconstructed into a new well planned
city. Bishop Gomez made the point
that Freeport, Grand Bahama was well
designed and the same should be the
case for Abaco after this disaster.
Another view expressed is that this
national crisis should not be politi-
cised. “To make this a political matter
would be sinful,” said Bishop Gomez.
However, he claimed that the govern-
ment has not been transparent and
accountable as it relates to the number
of persons who died in the storm. Just
yesterday, the Commissioner of Police
advised the general public that as of
Monday 16th September, officers
have located and recovered 43
The Bahama Journal
A5
Wendall K. Jones
Publisher/Chief Executive Officer
Kimaley P. Jones
Vice President/Operations
I A L
deceased persons from the island of
Abaco and 8 from Grand Bahama,
bringing the total amount to 51 con-
firmed deaths. He said that shortly
after 10 am, the decomposed body of
a Caucasian male was recovered in
Marsh Harbour.
We agree with Bishop Gomez that
there is a lack of transparency in the
system used for the ongoing search of
dead bodies. The former Prime
Minister Hubert Ingraham said that
hundreds died in the storm. The
Minister of Health Doctor Duane
Sands said that the number of fatali-
ties is staggering. He went further by
saying that most of the 1300 persons
missing will never be found. Yet, the
government has the temerity to
announce through the Commissioner
of Police that only 51 bodies were
recovered. This is utterly irresponsi-
ble and we call on the authorities to
desist from making the false
announcements. Many Bahamians,
even highly placed Civil Servants
have attested that hundreds of decom-
posed bodies have been discovered in
Abaco.
The public deserves accurate infor-
mation on the discovery of bodies. We
insist that the government should not
announce numbers until the recovery
period is ended. The government runs
the risk of creating wide-spread dis-
trust of its efforts and politicising an
issue by giving misinformation on the
crisis. Already the Progressive
Liberal Party is on record criticising
the appointments of the coordinators
for the hurricane relief effort. The
Party says it is inappropriate for the
President of the Senate to work for the
Executive branch of the government
and to be subject to decisions and
orders off the Cabinet. We fully agree
with this point of view. Similarly, the
appointment of Algernon Cargill to
be a coordinator of the reconstruction
efforts is just plain wrong. He is sim-
ply not a fit and proper person for that
job after having been involved in
serious conflicts when he served as
Managing Director of the National
Insurance Board. He was fired from
that position and an auditor’s report
was sent to the office of the Attorney
General. As far as we are concerned,
Mr. Cargill should never again be
given a position in government
involving the expenditure of public
funds.
A6
GBPA PARTNERS WITH THE SAMARITAN'S
The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019
PURSE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE
Grand Bahama residents
can access emergency
health care services
through generosity of the
Samaritan’s Purse through
relationships fostered with
the Grand Bahama Port
Authority Limited.
Following the devasta-
tion of Hurricane Dorian,
the Grand Bahama Port
Authority leveraged glob-
al partnerships to provide
resources and relief to
local residents. Derek
Newbold, Senior Manager
of Business Development
says, “Our organization’s
commitment to the island
of Grand Bahama means
that where there is a need,
we will do our part and
rise to the occasion to ren-
der assistance. In this
case, the impact of
Hurricane Dorian immo-
bilized the usual effective
delivery of essential med-
ical services on the
island.” Newbold contin-
ued, “After Hurricane
Matthew in 2016, the
Grand Bahama Port
Authority facilitated an
extensive humanitarian
relief effort with the
Samaritan’s Purse. Then,
as is the case now, we
sought to expeditiously
partner together to meet
the medical care needs of
residents and proactively
erected an emergency
relief hospital complete
with a team of medical
professionals.”
The Samaritan’s Purse
is a non denominational
4Samaritan's Purse team members pray with Grand Bahama resident.
evangelical Christian
organization that pro-
vides spiritual and physi-
cal aid to hurting people
around the world.
Kaitlyn Lahm,
spokesperson for the
organization affirmed
their commitment to
Grand Bahama and its
recovery efforts. Lahm
explained, “We were
watching Hurricane
Dorian even before it hit
and in watching its path,
we could see if it would
create a need.” She
added, “When the storm
hit The Bahamas it
caused severe devasta-
tion in Freeport and
Abaco and we immedi-
NationalNEWS
ately deployed a team.
Now, we are here provid-
ing medical care and
support after the storm.”
As the Samaritan’s
Purse medical team con-
tinues to provide medical
care to Grand Bahama
residents, the organiza-
tion has been warmly
welcomed by residents
receiving care. Lahm
notes, “Our hope and our
prayer is that families in
The Bahamas are
encouraged and that they
know they are not alone
and that God loves them
and we love them too.”
With the Samaritan’s
Purse active presence on
the island they enjoy a
“Our global partners
working with equally
competent Bahamians,
will undoubtedly do their
part to provide the best
in class care for our com-
munity. We appreciate
this and have an abun-
dant sense of gratitude
for everyone actively
engaged to restore hope
through the delivery of
good medical servic-
es.” He added, “We
embrace this spirit of
God’s love as demon-
strated by the
Samaritan’s Purse and
remain satisfied that this
level of cooperation and
collaboration, allows for
more Grand Bahama res-
idents to be comforted
with some peace of mind
that their medical needs
positive impact connect- ty stakeholders and resi- can be met as we recover
ing with other communi- dents. Newbold says, from Hurricane Dorian.”
4 Derek Newbold, Senior Manager of Business Development for the Grand Bahama Port
Authority greets George Kalbfeisch, Director of Flight Operations for Samaritan’s Purse as Dr.
Raoul Armbrister, Regional Director, Samaritans Purse looks on following the first delivery of
emergency medical supplies arrive in Grand Bahama.
 A7

DUTCH MILITARY IN ABACO TO

NationalNEWS
The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019

ASSIST HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

PM Minnis speaks with US Pastor Joel Osteen

4 Dutch and German Military Engineers working
on the bridge which connects the mainland Abaco
to the northern communities.
(rBdf Photo Marine Seaman Wellington
ramsey)
Prime Minister the Most
Engineers of the Dutch Helvert of the Dutch Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis
and German Military are Military, the Civil spoke with Texas-based
in Abaco to assist with Engineers worked along pastor, televangelist and
hurricane relief efforts with Bill Simmons author Joel Osteen today
on the island after the Construction, a local (16 September) from the
passage of Hurricane business company, in Office of the Prime
Dorian. repairing the damaged Minister.
On Saturday past bridge. Prime Minister
(September 14), the team Another task of the Minnis provided Pastor
of engineers arrived international military Osteen with an overview
aboard the naval vessel partner is the production of the devastation caused
HNLMS Johan de Witt of potable water in by Hurricane Dorian on
and began the rebuilding Marsh Harbour and Abaco and Grand
phase with the recon- affected communities. Bahama.
struction of the bridge The Dutch team are During the call, the
which connects Coopers expected to remain on well-known pastor led a
Town and Fox Town, the island for several prayer for the nation -
Abaco. Headed by more days to complete for peace, strength and
Lieutenant Brent Van the tasks. hope.
A8

CAMPBELL APPLAUDS PUBLIC SERVICE

NationalNEWS
The Bahama Journal
Tuesday - September 17th, 2019

EMPLOYEES IN DORIAN’S AFTERMATH

Minister of Social
Services and Urban
Development, the Hon.
Frankie Campbell,
Sunday applauded the
efforts of the thousands of
public service employees
throughout The Bahamas
whom he said have gone
“above and beyond” the
call of duty in responding
to the needs of the thou-
sands of persons displaced
and otherwise affected by
the monster Hurricane
Dorian.
Minister Campbell said
a number of the public
service employees have
themselves either lost rel-
atives, homes, property
and personal effects as a
result of the hurricane, but
have made the commit-
ment to providing exem-
plary service as part of the
government’s response
mechanism to the storm
that smashed through
parts of the Northern
Bahamas as a monster
Category 5 Hurricane.
Public Service employ-
ees have played, and con-
tinue to play, key roles in
the relief and rescue
efforts as First
Responders, as members
of Rapid Assessment
Teams, as part of Search
and Rescue Teams, by
providing security for
shelters, as volunteers, as
part of food management
teams, as part of Health
Teams, that have been
providing medical servic-
es and as the core group of
4 Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell (centre), addressing members of the
Senior Directorate of the Ministry and its Departments and Heads of the various Divisions that comprise the Ministry of Social
Services, during the regular update schedule. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
Shelter Management
Team and shelter workers.
Minister Campbell
highlighted the efforts of
the Shelter Management
Teams -- led by employ-
ees of the Ministry of
Social Services and Urban
Development – who have
been working feverishly
to receive, register and
console (in many
instances) evacuees of the
storm who have either
presented at the shelters
established under the
remit of the Ministry and
its Departments, and/or at
the island’s ports of entry.
Ministry personnel
have been able to call on
colleagues from the
Department of Social
Services, the Department
of Rehabilitative Welfare
Services, the Department
of Gender and Family
Affairs and the Urban
Renewal Commission, in
addition to staff of the
Ministry’s various
Divisions and Units, to
provide assistance as part
of the Shelter
Management Teams.
Fourteen Shelter areas
– ten in New Providence,
two in Grand Bahama and
one each in Abaco and
Eleuthera -- have been
established under the
remit of the Ministry of
Social Services and Urban
Development with addi-
tional ones prepared for
opening as needs require.
Colleagues from the
National Sports Authority
(NSA), Ministry of Youth,
Sports and Culture (in the
case of the Kendal G.L.
Isaacs Shelter compound),
the Royal Bahamas
Defence Force, the
Department of Public
Health, Ministry of Health,
along with the many vol-
unteers, are working
around the clock to ensure
for, fed, clothed and other-
wise provided for.
“At this point, we have
been inundated with per-
sons requiring shelter as a
result of evacuations from
Grand Bahama and Abaco,
but our shelter workers --
our social workers and
other ministry staff, our
shelter workers, our
Defence Force personnel,
our healthcare personnel,
our volunteers -- have been
working very hard to
ensure that our guests have
the best possible shelter
stays,” Minister Campbell
said.
“I recall a young man at
the Kendal G.L. National
from our efforts began.
Every time I visit he is
there. Every time I visit, he
is working, he is organiz-
ing something, he is clean-
ing up, he is helping some-
one and loving every
minute of it.
“I leave from there and
go to the Fox Hill
Community Centre and I
have to beg the Member of
Parliament to go home,
take a break. She is there.
The social workers are
there. The medical practi-
tioners are there. The
Defence Force personnel
are there, providing 24-
hour security services to
the facility and all others
where shelters have been
opened, and the approved
volunteers are there. That
story is repeated at every
shelter that falls under the
remit of the Ministry.
“I hear of persons who
show up to shelters with
meals for 30 persons. I
hear of persons who show
up to the shelters with
clothing or toys for chil-
dren. I visit shelters and I
am told the stories of per-
sons who want to remain
anonymous, but who
donated something, or
gave something, and to me
that is the true Christian
spirit – persons from all
walks of life just giving of
their time, just giving of
their talents, just giving of
their treasures.
“I hear of the com-
plaints and we are working
to bring some more coor-
dination to the help and
assistance, but there is no

AML Expands
that the guests – who
include families, women
and children, the elderly,
persons with disabilities,
and men -- are accounted
Gymnasium (where four
shelter areas have been
established), who is the
gymnasium manager, and
who hasn’t been home
perfect situation in a disas-
ter, particularly one such
as monstrous as Hurricane
Dorian,” Minister
Campbell added.

Relief Efforts
AML Foods Limited announced that to
date they have donated more than $275k
to Hurricane Dorian Relief. $200k has
been donated to support their employees
in Grand Bahama and $25k was donated
to both The Bahamas Red Cross and
NEMA. Additionally, through partner-
ships with international vendors, more
than $30k in product donations have
come in.

4 Mrs Tiffany Knowles, Accountant, NEMA (Left); Mrs Renea Bastian, VP Media Marketing,
AML Foods (Center); Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA (Right)