NASSAU, The Bahamas – Officials of the Disaster Management Unit of the Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development recently took possession of three, 40ft. containers that will help to “significantly expand” the Unit’s storage capacity for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The Hurricane Season opened June 1 and will run through November 30. The three, 40ft. containers will complement the two warehouses the Department previously used to store key hurricane supplies.

Mr. Leonard Cargill, Assistant Director with responsibility for the Unit, said having the additional storage capacity is vital.  “We got those containers through one of our international partners and we are very appreciative for the additional storage space those containers will provide. We are looking forward to filling them up.”

Assistant Director Cargill said team members have already begun stockpiling hand sanitizers, hygiene kits, masks and personal safety gear for staff. He said DOSS officials have also been in contact with its stakeholders and partners to ensure that the required food supplies are in place.

“There was an abundance of food at the shelters, including hot meals, for our guests last year in the wake of Hurricane Dorian,” Mr. Cargill said. “It was quality food and we continue to provide quality food for those persons being housed at our two shelters currently in operation.”

The Unit, Mr. Cargill said, is also collaborating internally with officials at the Disability Affairs Division, Department of Social Services, the Secretariat of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Community Support Services Division, Department of Social Services, and Urban Renewal and other stakeholders, to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable persons – particularly the elderly and the community of persons with disabilities have been accounted for in those preparations.

A Special Needs Shelter for persons with disabilities was among the shelters that have been certified as Hurricane Shelters. The Special Needs Shelter is located at Epworth Hall, Shirley Street, New Providence. Officials are also on the ground across The Bahamas who would have already identified the most vulnerable persons on those respective islands.

“But we are asking neighbours and family members of persons who are elderly or living with a disability to notify NEMA, to notify the Department of Social Services so as to ensure that no one is overlooked,” Mr. Cargill added.

Disaster Managers and Planners have also factored in the presence of the COVID-19 Pandemic in The Bahamas, and the need to ensure the safety of guests in shelters into their planning for the 2020 Hurricane Season. The DOSS is also responsible for Shelter Management as part of its duties under Emergency Support Function (ESF 6) of the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“We have been adhering to the protocols set forth by the Ministry of Health with regards to physical distancing and proper sanitization at the two shelters still in operation,” Mr. Cargill said. “Those protocols will continue to be adhered to in the event we have to open shelters.”

PHOTO CAPTION

Minister Leonard Cargill, Assistant Director with responsibility for the Disaster Management Unit, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development addressing a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Press Conference prior to the start of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.  (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)