The Tribune

THE Colonial Group International (Bahamas) has donated a total of $100,000 towards Hurricane Joaquin relief efforts to three organisations on the frontline of assisting residents to return to normal life in the impacted central and south eastern islands.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received $50,000 while the Bahamas Red Cross Society and Rotary Bahamas were given $25,000 each. The cheques were handed over on Thursday at Atlantic Medical on Collins Avenue by Linda Gibson, executive vice-president of Atlantic Medical, a member of the Colonial Group.

First Assistant Secretary of NEMA, Chrystal Glinton, said residents on the islands would be pleased about the level of humanitarian efforts geared toward restoring their lives after being devastated by the category 4 storm in early October. “We will continue to rebuild the south - into a new south,” Ms Glinton said, adding that electricity has now been restored to Landrail Point, Crooked Island.

Craig Tony Gomez, president of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, said “We continue to provide a series (assistance) as the communities are still in desperate need of relief” and assured that the funds will go a long way in bringing relief to the affected residents and would be properly accounted for. The Red Cross relief effort is ongoing in terms of providing groceries, clothing and similar items.

District Governor of Rotary International District 7020, Felix Stubbs, said Rotary Bahamas, a service-based organisation, has done its own assessments working closely with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and NEMA.

An estimated 5,000 residents were impacted when the hurricane ripped through their communities in Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Acklins, Crooked Island and Mayaguana. The damage has been pegged at an estimated $80million.