FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Both the government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority yesterday pledged to rebuild the storm-ravaged island as critical needs for housing and basic relief remain high, The Tribune reported on Thursday, September 12.
The level of desperation on Grand Bahama is widespread. GBPA executive director Rupert Hayward estimated 3,000 homes have been badly affected or completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, telling The Tribune the situation was a “tight rope”.
He said the number of displaced people on Grand Bahama ranged between 10,000 too 15,000, adding that water would be a continuous need until potable water was restored. With only one well working, he said the port’s water supply was at 30 percent.
The situation is so desperate for some, The Tribune was told one young woman attempted to give her one-month-old baby to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home yesterday. But the home was completely flooded by the storm, forcing its 32 children to evacuate late Monday evening in rising waters. The residents of GBCH have been relocated to Nassau.
The home will not reopen for at least another two months, said GBCH executive director Sheila Smith, who anticipates the home will also need to take in additional children from Abaco once it is operational.
Five of the home’s employees are now homeless, and the only thing they could do was call the Department of Social Services to arrange for the woman and her child to be taken to a shelter. http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/sep/11/we-will-rebuild-grand-bahama/
