The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Digital Editor

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE United States has pledged continued support to The Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, mobilising both government and private sector resources to assist with relief and recovery efforts across the southern and central islands.

US Embassy Nassau Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish said American agencies and partners acted before, during, and after the storm to help save lives, protect property, and aid recovery — even as the US government faced a shutdown.

“At every point — during the approach of the storm, as it passed, and now as recovery efforts begin — the people and government of the United States have been working to assist Bahamians,” Mrs Furnish said. “Even during our government shutdown, saving lives will always be a priority for the United States.”

She added that she was especially proud of how the embassy worked to mobilise private sector partners to help evacuate residents from Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island to New Providence.

Several US-based organisations and individuals supported those efforts, including the Love & Life Foundation, Judah 1 Aviation, SpaceX, Dr Andy Ingraham, founder of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers, and Rob Ceravolo, founder of Tropic Ocean Airways.

The US Department of State has also deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and activated Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to assist with damage assessments and relief coordination across the Caribbean.

In The Bahamas, DART members have joined a disaster risk management specialist already stationed in-country to conduct rapid assessments and coordinate U.S. government support. The U.S. Coast Guard has also deployed HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Miami to conduct post-disaster overflights of affected areas.

On Friday, Chargé Furnish joined Prime Minister Philip Davis, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles, and Defence Force Commander Floyd Moxey on a Coast Guard overflight to survey hurricane damage.

“Our commitment to The Bahamas is unwavering,” Mrs Furnish said. “We are friends in good times, and our friendship remains constant during disasters like Hurricane Melissa.”