Bahamas

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1 HFA National Reports
2 National Platform
3 HFA National Focal Point
4 Other contacts:
5 Country profile:
6 Climate change
7 Progress
8 Others Documents
9 Web Links

HFA National Reports

National Report 2007: Bahamas Progress Report on HFA 2007

National Report 2006: no reported

National Report 2005: no reported

National Platform

No National Platform reported

HFA National Focal Point

National Emergency Management Agency

Address: Cabinet Office, P.O. Box N-7147, Churchill Building, Rawson Square Nassau, Bahamas

Tel: +1(242) 322-2805

Fax: +1(242) 326-5456

E-mail: nema@bahamas.gov.bs

Contact person:

Commander Stephen Russell, Interim Director (as of May 5, 2008)

E-mail: stephenrussell@bahamas.gov.bs

Other contacts:

CDERA member: Mrs. Barbara Burrows, Permanent Secretary

National Disaster Coordinator, Bahamas Disaster Management Committee.

Address: P.O. Box N7147, Cabinet Office, Nassau, N.P, Bahamas

Phone No: (+242) 326-5446/322-6081/322-6085 / Fax No:(+242) 326-5456

Cdr. Stephen Russell

Bahamas Disaster Management Committee

Phone No. (+242) 326-5452

Email: steverusssr@hotmail.com

Bahamas Red Cross: Ms Marina Glinton, Director-General

Address: P.O. Box N-8331, Nassau, Bahamas.

Phone: (+242) 323-7370 / fax: (+242) 323-7373

E-mail: redcross@bahamas.net.bs

Website: Bahamas Red Cross

Country profile:

Name: The Bahamas

Capital: Nassau

Population: 301,790 (July 2005)

Area: 13,940 sq km

Population Density: 22 inhab/ sq Km

Religion: Baptist, Anglican , Roman Catholic and other Christian

Language: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Ethnic Group: Black 85%, White 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

Government: Constitutional Parlamentary Democracy

Currency: Bahamian dollar

Position in IDH: 50°

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas comprises an archipelago of 700 low-lying islands spread out over 100,000 square miles. This makes the country highly susceptible to hurricanes, storms, flooding, coastal erosion and anticipated sea level rise. Droughts and contamination of aquifers are another major hazard. Fresh water is provided by a fresh water lens overlying the salt water, and there are no streams and rivers on any of the islands.

The most recent severe hurricanes include Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Hurricane Michelle in 2001 and Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. Hurricane Francis was particularly devastating in that it was the first since 1886 to impact the entire archipelago. Because of its slow motion and very large eye of roughly 140 kilometres in diameter, the centre of circulation stayed over the northwestern part of the country for three days. Two people were killed and around 700 were displaced. Significant property damage occurred throughout the country, destroying houses and sea walls, and damaging infrastructure, the water supply, electricity and telecommunications systems. A USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team had arrived before Frances struck, and was able to quickly establish impact and needs assessments. Hurricane Jeanne struck less than three weeks later, only adding to the damage of the already weakened homes and infrastructure. Around 2500 people were evacuated to emergency shelters, and no deaths or injuries occurred.

Community awareness of and participation in disaster management, planning and mitigation has recently been significantly heightened by Emergency Response Team (CERT) training seminars. The seminars aim at using a comprehensive approach to disaster management by taking into account all of the hazards that can impact the Bahamas and by training entire communities to be better prepared, and respond rapidly before professional help arrives. Sponsored by the United States Embassy and the Emergency Management Agency, this is currently the only country outside of the United States to have a functioning CERT team. Hazard maps have been prepared for storm surge and seismic hazards. The Bahamas was the first Caribbean country with mandatory building codes. A coastal zone management program is now being considered which will comprise improved building and zoning codes in the coastal areas especially. A national disaster preparedness manual is being designed for use in schools.

Source: ISDR