NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Government of The Bahamas is about to implement its Resilient Recovery Policy aimed at timely rebuilding process after a disaster, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction the Hon. Iram Lewis revealed.

He was addressing the Opening Session of the Canada-Bahamas Reconstruction and Climate Resiliency Virtual Trade Mission -- a business forum held Thursday, January 14, 2020, aimed at ways both countries can explore public private partnerships in sustainable developments.

“The Bahamian government and people are pleased that the Canadian government has responded to this call to assist The Bahamas via this forum,” Mr. Lewis said.

He told the forum that through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, the Government’s aim is to travel the road of resilience and sustainability.

“The Ministry is working diligently to produce its Resilient Recovery Policy. The purpose of the Resilient Recovery Policy is to provide context and guidelines for recovery planning and operations that are timely, efficient, and facilitate a pathway to resilient development. It also articulates the requirements that will inform the organizational and institutional arrangements to achieve this,” Mr. Lewis said.

Guests on the Virtual Mission included, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic, Canadian High Commissioner-designate; Mr. Edison Sumner, Project Coordinator; businesspersons, and other guests.

Mr. Lewis used the backdrop of the devastating Hurricane Dorian, which impacted Abaco and its Cays and East Grand Bahama as a Category 5 storm, beginning September 1, 2019, as to why the Government is moving towards establishing a Resilient Recovery Policy.

The initial damage assessment for Hurricane Dorian valued at an estimated  $3.4 billion, representing nearly a quarter of The Bahamas’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Some 74 people died and hundreds remain missing.

In this vein, on September 23^rd, 2019, the Government of The Bahamas, under the leadership of the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, formed the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction and Disaster Reconstruction Authority to which Mr. Lewis was appointed its first Minister (of State). The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) are the two departments that fall under the aegis of this Ministry.

“The events of September 1^st, 2019 reminded the government that we are indeed in a war to secure our nation's sustainability and longevity. In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change urged that intensified hurricanes are likely to result in large-scale loss and damage to individuals, livelihoods, communities, infrastructure, and countries,” Mr. Lewis said.

He observed that history would judge The Bahamas on how it responds to a disaster, to ensure the sustainability of its nation for future generations.

However, in order to fight this, “The Bahamas lacks the financial, technical, and human resources needed to address the multifaceted and complex issue,” Mr. Lewis said, adding that the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, The Paris Agreement, and the Katowice Rulebook remind the international community of this reality for many developing nations.

He then mentioned that the recovery and reconstruction process is progressing on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.

In February 2020, the Disaster Reconstruction Authority launched its Small Home Repair Programme, “allowing Bahamians impacted by Hurricane Dorian to access up to $10,000 in funds for repairs. Some 7,000 people accessed our system for assistance on GB and Abaco; to date we have approved some 3750 homeowners,” Mr. Lewis told the forum.

“As a result of Hurricane Dorian, many schools were severely damaged.

Schools are primarily used as hurricane shelters in The Bahamas. The government spent $5.2 million dollars on school repairs, compared to its typical budget of $800,000, mirroring our commitment to restoration,” Mr. Lewis said.

In this regard, the Ministry presented to Cabinet plans for "The Resilient School,” he shared.

“There is undoubtedly a need to ensure that these structures are built to include generators, internal restrooms, and water reservoirs -- to be used as short- or long-term shelters. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction under my leadership will ensure that this remains at the forefront of our agenda,” he said.

Mr. Lewis also thanked the Non-Governmental Organizations for their partnership in the restoration of schools on Abaco.