We all watched in horror as Hurricane Dorian pummelled the Bahamas. It doesn’t seem fair that someplace so beautiful, where even the residents belive its paradise, is left in ruins with so much tragedy. The Bahamas holds a special place in my heart. It holds many family memories of some of my favorite vacations, one of which was only a couple of weeks before Dorian hit. For that reason, I am sharing this post to share how you can help with Hurricane Dorian Relief for the Bahamas.
Hurricane Dorian Relief
Visit Florida recommends to follow the motto: “Cash, confirm, connect” before you volunteer because cash is the most flexible resource for the organizations, confirm there is a need for volunteers, and connect with well-established programs and organizations when donating time or money.
Donate Time
If you are in a position to, you may actually be able to go to the Bahamas and donate your time to help with hurricane relief. Do your research first, and go with a well-known organization such as one of these options.
If you are already headed to the Bahamas for another reason, but still want to help, you can talk with your resort or connect with an organization that may be there at the same time about how you can help. José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen has been spending time in one of Atlantis’s kitchens making food for the hurricane victims taking shelter in Nassau, and those still in Grand Bahama and Abaco. Some resort goers have joined his team in their volunteer efforts.
Donate Products
It will be difficult to donate products if you aren’t in the immediate or very close vicinity of the islands, so this section is mostly for those in Florida.
A list of Tampa Bay area businesses accepting donations here.
Miami Dade Police have set up drop off points for physical donations here, and these Fire Departments in South Florida locations are here.
They are asking for the below items:
- Water
- Canned goods
- Can openers
- Mosquito spray
- Sunscreen
- Diapers
- Baby formula
- First aid items
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Small generators
Donate Money
Cash is the most flexible form of donation because the organizations can move it around to buy what they need at the moment. It sounds cheesy, but anything matters and everything counts. There are tens of thousands of people displaced, without a home, food, and in some cases clean drinking water. Your donation can go a long way!
Here is a list of reputable organizations to donate including:
Tourism
First, let’s talk about geography. Only two of the Bahamas Islands were badly affected by Hurricane Dorian: Abaco and Grand Bahama. These are two of the northern islands, whereas New Providence, home to Nassau and Paradise Island (where Atlantis and many other resorts live), Exuma, and several others were relatively unaffected.
“More than ever we need you to come on vacation,”
Dionisio J. D’Aguilar, the Minister of Tourism and Aviation
We all want to be sensitive to those who lost everything, but “’If they don’t come, we are not going to have revenue to rebuild,’ said Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson, the deputy director general at the tourism ministry. ‘We really need them to come, stay an extra day and spend an extra $50.'” (NY Times).
If you’ve already booked a trip, keep it! If you’re looking to book a trip, consider the Bahamas. You can check out my guide on what to do when you’re there!
