Bahamas
Disasters
Most read reports
Foreword
The 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean was unprecedented. High-powered, high impact hurricanes, including Irma and Maria, left a path of destruction, infrastructure damage and casualties in more than a dozen territories in the region. Without forecasts and warnings, the tragic loss of life would have been even higher.
Washington, DC, 30 de noviembre de 2018 (OPS/OMS)- Ministros de Salud de las Américas y el Secretariado de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) identificaron ayer una serie de acciones que buscan mejorar la respuesta de los sistemas de salud al proceso de migración masiva que la región está experimentado. En una reunión en la sede de la OPS, se discutieron acciones para el corto y mediano plazo en temas como vigilancia epidemiológica, preparación y prevención de brotes, y garantía del acceso a los sistemas y servicios de salud, entre otros temas.
Washington, DC, 30 November 2018 (OPS/OMS)- Ministers of Health from the Americas and the Secretariat of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) yesterday identified a series of actions that seek to improve the response of health systems to the mass migration that is occurring in the Region. In a meeting convened at PAHO’s headquarters, short and medium-term actions were discussed on a range of topics, including epidemiological surveillance, preparation and prevention of outbreaks and ensuring access to health systems and services, among others.
With Small Island Developing States (SIDS) bearing the brunt of economic losses from climate change, making them more resilient to extreme weather events must be a priority, said Inga Rhonda King, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), speaking at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
A WHO Special Initiative in collaboration with UNFCCC and the Fijian Presidency of the COP-23 (SIDS in the Caribbean Region)
Introduction
Humanity entered a new millennium with unprecedented challenges on a planetary scale. Carbon dioxide emissions, loss of biodiversity, loss of forests, water use, ocean acidification, have all been rapidly increasing for the past 100 to 200 years.
Official Sources:
Authored by: Lindsay Thompson
Source: Bahamas Information Services
Date: September 29, 2018
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis in his National Statement to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on Friday, called on the UN to intensify its commitment to addressing Climate Change, which is posing a real threat to Small Island Developing States such as The Bahamas.
AG/12071
Assemblée générale Plénière
Soixante-treizième session, 12e & 13e séances plénières, matin & après-midi
GA/12071
General Assembly Plenary
Seventy-third Session, 12th & 13th Meetings (AM & PM)
As the General Assembly entered the fourth day of its general debate today, world leaders once again called to the fore the threats posed by climate change and unilateralism and their impact on international peace and security, while also highlighting several successful transitions from conflict to peace as proof that diplomacy and multilateralism are effective and offer a hopeful sign for the future.
The Caribbean region is poised to benefit from increased humanitarian assistance following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and humanitarian service provider, Rescue Global (RG). The signing took place yesterday, September 19, 2018 at the CDEMA Coordinating Unit in St. Michael, Barbados.
As our disaster experts monitor Tropical Storm Isaac, which reached the Eastern Caribbean Thursday, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is announcing additional support to help the Caribbean prepare for, and respond to, major storms and hurricanes. The Agency is stockpiling reinforced plastic sheeting in the Caribbean, and training local disaster officials how to use the material to construct safe and secure temporary shelters.
Bridgetown, Barbados September 11, 2018 – The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and humanitarian mapping charity MapAction yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their new joint working relationship. MapAction will work alongside CDEMA teams and support National Disaster Management Agencies within the Caribbean region as needed.
Official Sources:
In September 2017, Primrose Thomas was at her home on Barbuda, when disaster struck: two Category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, swept over the islands of the eastern Caribbean, wreaking chaos and destruction.
“The first time I came back, I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t recognize anywhere. I had to ask for directions to my own house.”
Thousands of people in the region found themselves in the same situation as Primrose, and the UN played a major role in helping affected communities get back on their feet.
RAGGED ISLAND - Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, issued financial assistance estimating $72,000 to Family Island residents impacted by the devastating Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Captain Russell was accompanied by assistant accountant at NEMA, Eva Lightbourn and Family Island Administrator for Exuma and Ragged Island Districts Preston Cunningham.
In the first quarter of 2018, our teams brought together more than 100 health care professionals for an emergency room trauma course aimed at increasing the chances of survival for patients at risk in hospitals. Medical supplies were also provided, some of which were used for treating wounds in public and military hospitals, for example.
Over 500 patients were assisted in the first quarter of 2018, including victims of urban violence and emergency cases.
HIGHLIGHTS
Recovery operations continue in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and other hurricane-affected countries in the Caribbean, after the September 2017 passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
USAID/OFDA partner Samaritan’s Purse (SP) supports economic recovery in Dominica
Tropical Storm Beryl crosses Dominica on July 8–9, causing minimal damage
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
