Sunday, September 8, 2019

As desperation rises, thousands in Bahamas flee Dorian's devastation

As desperation rises, thousands in Bahamas flee Dorian's devastation

Thousands are attempting to flee "rapidly deteriorating'' conditions in the Bahamas, as the country begins to count the cost of devastating Hurricane Dorian.

Many are hoping to get off the hard-hit Great Abaco Island to seek safety in the capital, Nassau, or head further afield to Florida for shelter, supplies and even jobs.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) DIRECTOR STEPHEN RUSSELL, SAYING:

"Nassau can accommodate the people coming in from the islands -- through shelter programs, through family support, our hotel properties. We can find accommodations for persons coming from the islands that need assistance, yes."

The death toll- which currently stands at 43- is expected to soar, as the number of missing residents becomes clear.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy have been shipping in relief supplies and had already rescued nearly 300 people from isolated areas in the islands worst-hit by the category 5 storm which made landfall earlier this week.

The U.S. Agency for International Development said it raised its allocation of aid by $1 million, to $2.8 million in total and had moved enough emergency supplies for 44,000 people.

The American Red Cross has also committed an initial $2 million to help the Bahamas recover- with food, water, shelter and other necessities.




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