ABACO, BAHAMAS - Technicians from the Abaco-based Six A's Construction company are photographed preparing the land for The Abaco Centre which will serve as a Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre.
|
ABACO, BAHAMAS – The DRA recognizes that the needs within the communities of Abaco and Grand Bahama are pressing, and we are methodically prioritizing the work and maximizing the available resources to ensure that the islands of Abaco including the Cays and Grand Bahama are fully reconstructed. DRA takes a moment to share current facts:
-YES, COVID did impact the DRA’s ability to raise funds.
-YES, DRA took over from the Ministry of Works and the Department of Environmental Health Services in February 2020 and through continued collaboration with UNDP and the Department of Environmental Health Services successfully spearheaded Abaco and The Cays’ cleanup and the central stockpiling of that debris in both Spring City and Treasure Cay. This was done using Bahamian companies almost exclusively. The majority of which were residents on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.
-As a matter of policy and practice, the DRA endeavors to prioritize contracting companies within the specific Disaster Zone (Abaco & Grand Bahama) to execute our projects within the Zone.
-Through DRA's Small Home Repair Program we have assessed and funded a total of 3735 approved homeowners for Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they met the criteria to receive assistance. Had to be Bahamian; the house had to have been destroyed in Dorian; had not received insurance; proof of home homeownership.
-DRA provides technical assistance and management for the reconstruction of the Leonard Thompson International Airport and the Treasure Cay International Airport demolition projects.
-DRA supports temporary housing in the form of 100 mobile homes and 70 domes.
-DRA continues with the development of the 800-person hurricane shelter which will double as a community center in Central Pines, Abaco.
-DRA is underway with the construction of 5 of 42 homes, also in Central Pines, Abaco.
-DRA continues to provide a raft of support via tablet distribution for Abaconian primary and high school students, support of fire victims in Cooper’s Town, Abaco providing bulldozers for firefighters in and around Central Abaco.
-DRA is in continuous coordination with entities such as: BPL, BTC, Cable Bahamas, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, The Grand Bahama Utility Company, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Works.
-DRA continuously peruses donations in our development office to supplement the government’s funding in these very trying fiscal times.
-DRA has reacted to the pressing needs of the Abaco community and has deployed qualified technical support to live in that community and address the very unique needs of The Abacos.
DRA continues to welcome the feedback of key stakeholders within the declared Disaster Zone Communities of Abaco and Grand Bahama and we invite you to connect with us on social media or to call us directly on Grand Bahama 352-9111 or Abaco 699-1450 or email us at info@drabahamas.org.
DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY
The Disaster Reconstruction Authority was established in The Bahamas under the Disaster Reconstruction Act 2019 after Hurricane Dorian ravaged the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama in September 2019. The Authority is an agency of the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction. The goal is to facilitate post-Hurricane Dorian rebuilding and recovery. The DRA houses offices in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Abaco.
