Former Senator Katherine B. Smith Thanks Humanitarian Aid Organizations for Continued Support to Rebuild The Bahamas
Katherine B. Smith, Managing Director of Disaster Reconstruction Authority along with Mission Resolve Foundation Co-Founders Joseph Farrell, Jr. and Patxi Pastor will join Edward Raine, CEO of Food for the Poor hosted a press conference at the Food for the Poor Warehouse on March 6th, 2020 at 10:30 am. The event commemorated the six-month anniversary and thanked major humanitarian aid organizations that continue to provide support to the Bahamian recovery following Hurricane Dorian.
Over 25 representatives from additional leading non-profit, private and government humanitarian aid organizations in support of the ongoing Bahamian recovery efforts were in attendance including Abaco Chamber of Commerce, Abaco Connect, Advanced Roofing, American Red Cross, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Bahamas Strong, Church By the Sea, Certified Contracting Group, Collaborative Consulting Group, Entercom, Entrepreneurs Across Borders, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Food For The Poor, Furman Insurance, Gold Aviation Services, HeadKnowles Foundation, Holy Cross Hospital, IDEA Relief, Lift Logistics, Maersk, Mercy Corps, Miami Dolphins Foundation, New Providence Community Church, One Eleuthera Foundation, Optimum Consulting, Rotary International, SEACOR, The Kannico Agency, Witt O’Brien’s, Young Presidents Organization, 104.3 The Shark and 25 United.
“We are so grateful for the continuing outpouring of support and compassion that all of these organizations have continued to provide our Bahamian community since the devastating onset of Hurricane Dorian”. Said Katherine Smith, Managing Director of Disaster Reconstruction Authority. “The damage this unprecedented Category 5 storm has inflicted on Abaco, the surrounding Cays and Grand Bahama Island have created major challenges for our community. We are so thankful of everyone’s amazing ongoing support which we have heavily relied upon and will have to continue to do so. All donations of ongoing relief funding and in-kind goods and services are very much needed and greatly appreciated.”
Mission Resolve Foundation, with help from numerous NGOs, continues to provide aid and assist with numerous major relief and rebuilding efforts. Most recently, American Red Cross awarded Mercy Corps and Mission Resolve Foundation, a grant to not only continue providing clean drinking water to Grand Bahama which it has from the onset of the hurricane but now to also double production through May of 2020. Together Mercy Corps and Mission Resolve are providing 16,000 gallons of freshwater per day to the community. “We are so thrilled about the ongoing support which continues from so many amazing collaborating partner organizations for the Bahamian relief efforts.” Said, Mission Resolve Foundation Co-Founder Joseph Farrell, Jr. “It is truly incredible what can be accomplished when so many selfless and compassionate people get together to support one another to aid our Bahamian neighbors”.
Food For The Poor President/CEO Ed Raine said the charity is committed to The Bahamas’ long-term recovery. “We know that the goods we’ve sent have meant the world to those suffering, but the longer-term needs are great. Mass numbers of people have been displaced,” Raine said. “It’s going to take some time for The Bahamas to recover, but Food For The Poor is committed to being there every step of the way with the support of our dedicated donors.” Some of the supplies being purchased and shipped to The Bahamas by Food for the Poor include 750 solar-powered street lamps and 30 truck chassis, including 26 to the Disaster Reconstruction Authority to help move containers off the port and four to HeadKnowles Foundation to transport goods. After the recovery is completed, the authority will donate the chassis to other churches and nongovernmental organizations in The Bahamas.
Additionally, Mission Resolve also collaborated with Holy Cross Hospital’s Dr. Jon Kotler, MD, President Chief of Medical Staff, and his staff to assist with the deployment of a donated Medical Mobile Unit shipped to the island of Abaco, Bahama. Shipping of the unit was provided through the generous support of SEACOR Island Lines. The Medical unit will be stationed on Guana Cay to help aid in the continuing recovery efforts. The medical unit includes an operating room, lab, and patient processing room and is equipped with an on-board generator, two air conditioners, and a refrigerator. Additional funds have also been raised to maintain the unit and provide ongoing medical supplies which include sanitary materials, water, MREs and tarps for sun cover.
Photo credit: Food For The Poor
