News

Relief Pouring in for The Islands of the Bahamas

September 5, 2019

Relief is pouring in from throughout the industry for The Islands of the Bahamas, with many opportunities for you to help the islands ravaged by Hurricane Dorian.

Relief teams have been deployed to The Abacos and Grand Bahama Island, and the islands not impacted by the hurricane remain open, including, in the Northwest Bahamas, the Bahamas capital of Nassau and neighboring Paradise Island, as well as Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros. Islands in the Southeastern and Central Bahamas remain unaffected, including The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has announced a two-fold initiative, with the company accepting monetary donations online through its partner, Mission Resolve, as well as donated supplies at its Riviera Beach warehouse. Those who wish to donate monetarily can do so at MissionResolve.org. All proceeds will be directly donated to the people of Grand Bahama Island. Located at 301 Broadway Ave., Bay #7, in Riviera Beach, FL, 33404, the cruise line’s warehouse is open seven days a week from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (items currently being accepted include: canned goods; building supplies [roofing materials, tar paper, plywood, sheetrock, etc.]; water; hygiene products; first aid kits; mosquito repellent; blankets; chlorine tablets; and pampers, baby wipes, and baby food.
Brightline has partnered with Tropic Ocean Airways and Blue Tide Marine to transport supplies to The Bahamas. The South Florida community can drop off water, food, medicine, generators and other items at Brightlinestations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Here’s a link to the donations request list. Each day, Brightline will deliver supplies to Tropic Ocean Airways, a charter and scheduled service airline, which will depart daily from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to distribute items to those in impacted areas of Grand Bahama island and The Abacos.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced the re-launch of Hope Starts Here, the company’s hurricane relief campaign in partnership with All Hands and Hearts, and pledged a minimum commitment of $1 million toward immediate short-term relief for those affected by Hurricane Dorian. The company has also vowed to match donations dollar-for-dollar to assist with rebuilding efforts across the Bahamas, including debris cleanup and removal, and the delivery of supplies and temporary shelters. Additionally, today, Norwegian Breakaway will depart Miami with hurricane relief supplies donated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and its employees, in addition to items collected by the City of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida, the 305 Gives Back foundation, and other Miami-based organizations, to be delivered to Nassau, Great Harbor Cay, the company’s private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. To donate, click here.
Carnival Corporation has partnered with Tropical Shipping and The Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collect and deliver NEMA-approved food and supplies donated in Broward, Miami-Dadeand Palm Beachcounties for the people of The Bahamas. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Additionally, Carnival Foundation, the corporation’s philanthropic arm, and its nine global cruise line brands together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have pledged to donate $2 million in funding and in-kind support for relief efforts in The Bahamas.
The Abaco Club on Winding Bay has launched a fund-raising effort dedicated to providing immediate disaster relief for the residents of Great Abaco island. Joe Deitch, chairman of Southworth Development, has pledged $1 million to the relief effort. Contributions to this GoFundMe campaign will be distributed by the Abaco-Winding Bay Relief Fund, a charitable organization created expressly for this effort with 501(c)3 status applied for and pending. All funds received will be used to provide assistance specifically to the people of Abaco in the form of food, shelter, medical aid and supplies, and assistance in the clean-up and rebuilding efforts. Contributions to the fund can be made at gofundme.com/f/abacodorianrelief.
The Walt DisneyCompany, led by DisneyCruise Line, has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts for those in The Bahamas. Disney’s commitment includes a $1 million donation to non-profit relief agencies that will be undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as the provision of supplies—including food staples and basic construction materials —to those in impacted areas.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is appealing to its membership, travel industry partners, national hotel and tourism associations and all Caribbean tourism interests to support the islands of the northwestern Bahamas. CHTA has provided members with details as to how they can support immediate efforts with cash and urgent supply donations. Cash contributions are being directed through the Bahamas Red Cross. Collections points for emergency relief supplies have been established throughout southern Florida and in Nassau, Bahamas through several initiatives by the Bahamas Government, the Miami-Dade County government, and Sandals Foundation. Details are available at: bahamas.com/relief; www8.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/cares/home.page; and sandalsfoundation.org/donation.
Tourism Cares is accepting donations via its Destination Disaster Recovery Fund. Please click here .

Airports update: Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau remains open; Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) is closed; Leonard Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour, Abaco is closed, while all other airports throughout The Bahamas are open and operational.