Hurricane Dorian - Update 7

There has been a lot of frustration of late with the slow response progress. By now, even in some of the most difficult environments, we would be moving from the response phase to the recovery phase. This is not the case on Great Abaco Island.

Even today I sat in a meeting with the Ministry of Public Works where we raised the lack of debris removal. Some residents have returned to clean up their properties and are resorting to burning debris as it cannot be removed/ isn't being removed. Working through their database we found that 75% of the contractors tasked with debris removal have not yet mobilised (their term).

It was really discouraging.

On the other hand, there are some clear signs of hope. People will often take control of their own recovery and there are those that are cleaning up and rebuilding. There are others that are using their skills and talents to try and work for the benefit of the rest of the community.

One couple have been painting murals around the town of Marsh Harbour to encourage hope and life. It's small, but it's... well, not small. It's colour, it's positive and it's hopeful.

Hurricane Dorian - Update 6

This week we were initially able to ensure that people with particular illnesses, disabilities or young children that required electricity had generators. These will keep medicines, formula and other necessities refrigerated and ensure that those that aren't well are more comfortable than they would be otherwise.

The distribution was done in partnership with the Bahamas Red Cross who did the hard work of identifying beneficiaries while we sourced the generators and shipped them to Abaco.

Joan from the Bahamas Red Cross & Brad with a generator beneficiary.

Later in the week we gathered together all of the enumerators that are helping the agencies involved in the vulnerabilities and needs assessment (see last update). The team leaders from each agency were able to provide training in confidentiality, protection principles, data recording, the use of technology for data recording (we are using online forms on the Kobo Collect platform) and safety.

Training for enumerators

This assessment is being undertaken with the resources of all the agencies involved and is attempting to cover the whole of mainland Abaco in a week so that we can evaluate the assistance provided so far and then ensure we are working well together on future assistance plans.

Finally, for those that have read other updates, all the health concerns have taken care of themselves (or been taken care of through medication and intervention!). Thank you for your prayers and support. 

Hurricane Dorian - Update 5

This week has been a bit up and down.

The ups relate mostly to when aid/ response and the relevant NGO, inter-government agencies and other actors are all at their best.

When we assist people, we need to determine the best beneficiaries of that assistance, which is usually done through an assessment process. This is done across communities and either performed by one NGO in a geographic area, or with a particular speciality, who then works through data sharing agreements with other actors to ensure that there is neither duplication or gaps in services.

Alternatively a group of NGO and inter-government actors can get together and do the assessments as a team.

In the Abaco Islands, the Bahamian Government's Department of Social Services decided to conduct the population assessment, but we are now 8 weeks past the disaster and they still are not completed. This is hindering direct assistance to many individuals.

As a result, those of us that want to get assistance out more efficiently have grouped together to do a more comprehensive, but also more expedient assessment that should cover the whole of the island region in the next two weeks. This consortium includes WFP, IOM, IFRC, ADRA, Samaritan's Purse, Heart to Heart and The Salvation Army. In one really productive workshop yesterday, between us we had come up with the assessment tool, logistical means, communications pieces, budget and funding and enumerators necessary to complete the task. Collaboration at its best.

The downs this week are more personal. I had experienced an insect bite a few weeks ago that developed into a significant cellulitis. Just as the treatment for that was underway, a new pharyngitis behind my adenoids stuck and meant I was having shocking fevers and couldn't swallow. Thankfully I believe that is also on the mend now, but for those of you that are pray-ers, our whole team could do with prayers for health and wellbeing while we are here!