(Eleuthera, Bahamas) After actively mobilizing hurricane relief collections across The Eleutheras throughout the weekend and on Monday, organizations and communities successfully deployed numerous shipments of supplies on Tuesday, October 6th, to central organizations in New Providence for further distribution to hard hit islands in the central and southern Bahamas.
Yasmin Johnson with the hurricane relief efforts based at the Haynes Library in Governor’s Harbour, confirmed that five pallets of supplies left on the Eleuthera Express for the “Head Knowles” organization in New Providence on Tuesday, as volunteers there continued to take in donations of needed supplies. She stressed that urgently needed items included: tarps, water, gatorade, feminine products, diapers, baby wipes, pedialyte, bleach, dettol, first aid supplies, medication, non-perishables (like tuna, sardines, cream, peanut butter, jam etc…), insect repellent, matches, flashlights, batteries, scrubbing boards, tin tubs, disinfectant soap, large garbage bags and more. She added that they were also considering hosting a special drive during the upcoming weekend to target donations of specific supplies.
Loads were packaged and shipped out from the dock on Cupid’s Cay on Tuesday. The community responded well, but other items are in need as volunteers continue to push to assist victims. Donations may be brought in to Haynes Library on the Bay Front.
Efforts continued throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday with continued collections in Rock Sound in front of the Marketplace complex (spearheaded by Holly Pearce) and at Sammy’s Restaurant (Kiwanis), at the Haynes Library in Governor’s Harbour (spearheaded by Pryia and Amy Simmons and Yasmin Johnson), under the Banyan Tree in Harbour Island (Local Gov’t and Ministry of Tourism), and at the Food Fair complex in Spanish Wells (Spanish Wells community).
June Dean with the Ministry of Tourism in Harbour Island, working along with local government members and community volunteers, shared that three truckloads of supplies for Long Island, Acklins & Crooked Island, and San Salvador were shipped out to NEMA in New Providence via Bahamas Ferries as well as another barge vessel going in to New Providence on Monday, October 5th, after a successful community drive during the weekend following the passage of hurricane Joaquin. “The entire island just came on board. We asked people to meet us here on Bay Street for 9:30am Monday morning and the items just started coming in. It was an amazing effort, and I’m very proud of everyone here on the island!”
Supplies for Long Island were also transported from Harbour Island to Spanish Wells on Monday, she said, to join the shipment which went directly to Long Island on the MV ‘First One’. Volunteers in Harbour Island continued collections and sorting of relief supplies on Tuesday up until noon to ship out later that afternoon to San Salvador, Acklins & Crooked Island via New Providence through NEMA. Students at the Harbour Island All Age School were also asked to bring in canned goods for shipment later in the week.
