CDEMA deploys teams to assess hurricane damage in The Bahamas

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) yesterday deployed three rapid damage and needs assessment teams to The Bahamas to determine the extent of damage suffered during the passage of Hurricane Joaquin over the weekend.

The CDEMA-led teams will provide assistance to the disaster agencies in the Bahamas in the assessment of damage to critical facilities, infrastructure and housing, water, sanitation and health, telecommunications and coastal zones, as well as provide general disaster response and relief support.

"The teams will focus their efforts on Long Island, Crooked Island and Acklins Island. They will also provide support to in the identification of a priority needs list and guide in distinguishing the requirements for national and external assistance. The 18 member team comprises of personnel from the CDEMA Coordinating Unit as well as the CDEMA Participating States of Barbados, British Virgin Islands and Jamaica (sub-regional focal point with responsibility for the Bahamas).

CDEMA said the regional teams will be complemented by technical personnel, sourced through the Department of Foreign Trade and Development, Canada, the Pan American Health Organisation and the United Nations Office of Coordination and Humanitarian Assistance.

"The rapid needs assessment teams being deployed will provide the necessary surge support to assist with accelerating the rapid assessment process and the fine tuning of emergency relief and early restoration needs," said CDEMA's Executive Director Ronald Jackson.

The teams will return on Friday, October 9.

Earlier yesterday morning, through support from the Government of the United Kingdom, the RFA Lyme Bay arrived in the southern Bahamas with almost 60 tons of supplies consisting of temporary roofing materials, water and food for Crooked Islands, Acklins Island and Mayaguana Island.

The relief supplies were sourced by CDEMA through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Jamaica -- the North Western Sub-Regional Disaster Emergency Response Operational Unit of the CDEMA System.