According to information coming out from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Cecil Jeffrey aka ‘Alex’ along with Dr. Evangeline Inniss-Springer, Deputy Director at the DDM will both be heading off to the Bahamas for one week, or longer if needed. Photo: DDM

Damaged cars in the Bahamas following the passage of Hurricane Dorian on September 1, 2019. Photo: Bahamas Press

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the Virgin Islands (VI) is committed to helping with the recovery of ‘Dorian Battered’ Bahamas and so far the territory has sent two public officers to offer assistance. Photo: VINO/file

According to information coming out from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Cecil Jeffrey aka ‘Alex’ along with Dr Evangeline Inniss-Springer, Deputy Director of DDM will both be heading off to the Bahamas for one week, or longer if needed.

Logistics & Health Support

According to the release, Mr Jeffery is highly trained in logistics management and has been deployed to join the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Regional Health Emergency Response Team to give support to operations taking place in response to the impacts from Hurricane Dorian.

“Alex will join a team of health specialists who will arrive in Nassau, Bahamas today. Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr met with Alex yesterday to discuss his deployment and the tasks he will be asked to lead once he arrives on the ground.”

Dr Inniss-Springer will support the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA) Rapid Needs Assessment Team and provide assistance to the National Emergency Operations Centre

The DDM noted that additional medical professionals from the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) are on standby to assist the health response operations.

Medical Help if Needed 

“Dr Ronald Georges, Chief Executive Officer at the BVIHSA said that he has been able to identify a number of critical medical specialists who stand ready to work with PAHO,” they further noted.

Premier Fahie at the continuation of the September 2, 2019, Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands said, in correspondence with Bahamas Primer Minister, Hubert A. Minnis, “I told him that having gone through the experience in 2017, BVI is more than willing to assist with providing advice... as they seek to recover."

The Premier noted that he has been in contact with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), currently working to coordinate efforts for the collection and delivery of relief supplies.