Bahamas before and after Hurricane Dorian

These poor folks got crushed. Some of the island is gone.

I've tried a few searches to find out what the USA is doing to help these poor folks. All I can find is what Trump said or what Florida said, or international help. I know we didn't just sit back and do nothing.

Please post anything that any government run entity of the USA has done or is doing for the Bahamans.

Please refrain from posting about private organizations, international organizations, or what other countries were, are, or are pledging to do.

Thank you.

 

I'm short on time so I'm going to have to go by memory, apologies in advance if I've gotten anything wrong....

I believe the US Coast Guard and the National Guard are both actively helping, FEMA has already sent money to the Bahamas government (a 1/4 million I think?), we've sent over a disaster response team and once we've assessed the disaster and logistics we have supplies ready to send, and military is being prepped (including a hospital ship.) We also have to remember, the Bahamas is not a US territory, we can't just go in and take over, and much of the aid will be organized internationally (but thru organizations the US supports.)

 

Keep in mind it's a 1st world country and 90% of it went unscathed. It'll be years before those islands are fully rebuilt but the people effected will be back on their feet in a few months.

 

The Coast Guard has expanded its presence from five rescue helicopters on Monday to a dozen, along with eight cutters. The service has 1,000 members positioned to assist with relief efforts in the Bahamas and across the southeastern United States.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...b07a46-d0b1-11e9-8c1c-7c8ee785b855_story.html


The Trump administration has requested “airlift and logistics support” from the Defense Department in its urgent support effort for the Bahamas, McClatchy has learned.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article234805447.html

Trump tweeted today asking for cruise ships to act as floating hotels until things calm down.


This cruise ship decided to help the locals instead of continuing with the cruise-the guests are making up food packages for the locals.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/...e-ship-bahamas-reroutes-deliver-food-n1050796

 

They will need tanning lotion you know?

 

Hopefully they don't pull a Puerto Rico and leave bottles of water on the tarmac to shame Trump and let their people suffer.

 

Technically I suppose. It also a British protectorate. Some may also say that since it is so close to the US, it is also a US protectorate. That however is not really true. We just spend more on tourism than any other country since it is so close.
The last time I visited Freeport, it was apparent that certain consumables like diary products were either from Canada or New Zealand, never from the US. The people there seemed to take pride in identifying with Brits. The reason might be that the Brits who brought slaves to the US also brought them the the Bahamas.

I'm sure they will get plenty of help from the USA. If we don't give them aid, China will. We don't want China building a 5G Huawei network there for free along with a Chinese navel base 100 miles from Miami, so we will be spending money there whether we want to or not.

 

Speaking of the Brits, where are they? How are they helping?

 

Supposedly they were sending a ship. The reason was not mentioned. The last time they went to the Falklands it took them a couple months to get there.

I would hope that some of the snowbirds who migrate every year from Canada (also a Brit protectorate of sorts) to Florida for the winter might instead continue a bit further south to Freeport and give them a hand. It is in their interest.

 

I'm glad we are helping. It's really good to know that a cruise line is offering aid. You guys can post whatever country is helping. I just want to keep updated with what the U.S. is doing.

 

As a fair skinned individual with a history of skin cancer in my family...I would need lotion.

 

I wonder why?

 

As a south FL resident, the private aid is endless. Already donated. It’s also the smaller islands that took the brunt. Govt aid is almost always wasted sad to say. Private organizations are run much better and get the aid where it needs to go without wasting it. This is all assuming the local govt cooperates and doesn’t waste and/or steal the aid that’s given. That’s always the real kick in the nuts.

 

As I said, this isn't some corrupt 3rd world nation.

 

Actually, it is. The poverty level is ridiculously high, fishing and tourism are the only exports/local sources of income and corruption abounds. The PM is very well meaning at this time but his govt has no idea how to organize this level of aid/rescue. It will be the private organizations that will pull GB and Abaco out of this horror - and if it is to be rebuilt, again, it will be private/charitable organizations doing it.

 

Why what?

 

It's okay for the USA to do the life and death humanitarian aid it is doing, but the UK must bear the expense of the start over after as many as are still living can be rescued from under the debris and the dead are recovered. It won't be a rebuilding recovery, it will be starting over from scratch.

 

It is also worth remembering that when people CHOOSE to live near an ocean in an area that is right in the path of hurricanes, year after year, then devastation is a risk they face -- year after year -- entirely by CHOICE!

A hundred years ago, people got scarcely any warning at all. But today, people get detailed, mostly very accurate, early warnings with each and every hurricane. When you're potentially in the path of one of these things, and it grows stronger by the day, the intelligent thing to do is get out!

Hint: there are (or, now, were) no fewer than FORTY-ONE airports in the Bahamas: https://www.prokerala.com/travel/airports/bahamas/

 

Why you're so concerned only about what the US government is doing.

 

What you say makes perfect sense, except...

Where would you suggest these people go? They don't have money for a flight and hotel stay in the US. And they need a Visa to get into the US - what if they don't have one? They only have days, and the process takes longer than that.

 

Because I'm from the U.S. I want to know if my taxes are going to help them and how much. I think we should help them whether they are our territory or not. Plus, I've never paid a great deal of attention as to where our money goes. I think it's important in choosing Reps, Senators, and the Prez.

 

Good question.
New rules: Now listen up, here is how it works. It doesn't matter where this happened, it could have happened on the highest mountain peak in the world and if the US is 4 seconds late in sending help it is Trumps fault, he hates you and anyone that looks like you. See how that works. Simple rules we have in place these days.

This morning I stubbed my toe, and damn if this ain't the truth, where the hell was Trump to stop me from banging my big toe, Nowhere to be found that is where he was, probably golfing why I was cussing and hopping around. Damn him. If Lizzy wasn't so busy running her mouth for president I bet she would have thrown her body between me and the dresser because she cares for the people.

 

It's got a GDP that rivals Portugal's. It's not rich but it's no worse off than a lot of US States.

The image of poverty comes from a combination of outdated notions (similar to the persistent idea that Africa is still poor) and illegal immigrants squatting in shanty towns (shanty towns being associated with poverty) becuase they have no ability to rent or buy homes. Combine that with Commonwealth membership and proximity to the US and your notions of the situation are shown to be flawed.

 

Are you saying that the USA should clean up all the human shet on Mt. Everest and the base camp? jk

 

It's an island and Florida was expected to get hit next. Where were they going to go? Also keep in mind the islands are built for this kind of thing, the destruction is mostly limited to shanty towns created by the resorts hiring illegals for cheap labor. The Bahamas don't have a 'Get them!' attitude (which is why the resorts hire them) so they don't have to hide but their status makes it impossible to get proper housing. The actual to code buildings are still standing.