UN agencies said on Tuesday that they had emergency medical and food aid ready to help the people of the Bahamas after the devastating passage of hurricane Dorian through the island chain.
They estimate that at least 61,000 people will need food aid after the monster storm hit the islands, officials told reporters in Geneva, the South African-based news letter The Citizen reports.
The islands’ water system is damaged and fresh water will be a priority, the UN Office for coordination of humanitarian affairs reported.
UN experts are waiting for government clearance before assessing the situation on the ground, said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.
The OCHA statement said the authorities on Abaco island were talking of “catastrophic damage”, while emergency officials on Grand Bahama were reporting massive flooding there.
Herve Verhoosel for the World Food Program said their initial estimate suggested that 47,000 people would need food aid on Grand Bahama and another 14,000 on Abaco.
Emergency medical teams were also standing by to intervene, said Fadela Chaib, spokesperson for the World Health Organization.
More from LOCAL
Inside Story: Parents Wait 24 Hours to Report Missing Child Adriel Moxey: Tragic Death Shocks Nation
Parents Wait 24 Hours to Report Missing Child: Tragic Death Shocks Nation The heartbreaking discovery of a young girl’s lifeless body …
IMF Praises Prime Minister Davis for Remarkable Economic Turnaround
By Bahamas Herald Staff Writer The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized The Bahamas for its significant economic recovery, describing the …
Prime Minister Davis Unveils Bold Strategy to Address Cost of Living Crisis in The Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas — Since his election, Prime Minister Davis has made addressing the high cost of living a priority for …
