Cayman stands ready to help the Bahamas

| 02/09/2019 | 37 Comments
Cayman News Service
RCIPS helicopter

(CNS): The Cayman Islands has offered to deploy its police helicopter to the Bahamas as an initial response to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, which is continuing to devastate the northern islands. Governor Martyn Roper said that “Cayman stands ready to help our friends in the Bahamas in the best way that we can”. A joint statement from the governor and Premier Alden McLaughlin on Monday noted that the new RCIPS helicopter is able to carry out search and rescue and medivac operations as well as aerial reconnaissance and the delivery of equipment and personnel to affected areas. 

Also heading to the Bahamas is the Royal Navy vessel, RFA Mounts Bay, which is equipped with a helicopter. As part of the ship’s role in the Caribbean to provide assistance in the event of a disaster, the crew practiced an amphibious landing of disaster relief equipment and supplies on Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach in June.

The catestrophic hurricane slowed to just 1mph as it moved across the Bahamas, adding to the misery there. The Red Cross has reported that Dorian has already destroyed or severely damaged at least 13,000 homes, and there are reports of at least one death so far.

The governor and premier have pledged to provide humanitarian assistance, which will be coordinated with the Government of the Bahamas, regional partners and the UK under the umbrella of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which, the release said, Cayman is in the process of joining. 

“The reports coming from Abaco and Grand Bahama are very concerning and Cayman stands ready to help our friends in the Bahamas in the best way that we can,” Roper said. “We have made an initial offer to deploy our new helicopter to assist should this be required.

“Being able to access remote communities after an event like this is crucial and storms like Dorian highlight the importance of the investments that the government is making in air operations and disaster management. It is important that any assistance to the Bahamas is properly coordinated with our partners in the region and we are in contact with CDEMA and the UK to ensure this is the case.”

The premier commented, “I would like to express my sympathy to the government and people of the Bahamas at this very difficult and challenging time. It is important that the countries in the region support each other fully when devastating storms like this threaten the lives, property and livelihoods of our people. Cayman remembers the effects of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and we will do all we can to provide appropriate assistance to the Bahamas.”


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Category: Caribbean, Commonwealth, Science & Nature, Weather, World News

Comments (37)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Remind me why the UK picked up part of the bill for OUR helicopter. Wasn’t it so that it could be used for regional support when needed? When I read these comments I am disgusted at the selfishness voiced by certain people. We have a helicopter. If it is needed we are obligated to help. Full stop.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    🇧🇸242🇧🇸Thanks Cayman islands 🇧🇸242🇧🇸

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  3. Anonymous says:

    This remind me so much of hurricane mitch we sit for 3 days my town had like 5 piece of house left my inside shakes and i just want to cry when i see these video . I also experience hurricane ivan swimming from 1 house to the other here in cayman i feel so bad for the Bahamas 😭

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Godspeed to everyone going to help and give aid.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    God speed to our helicopter team. They went in early to Turks in Irma and were really appreciated by our friends in TCI. Great ambassadors for the Cayman Islands

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    • Anonymous says:

      Thumbs down! Really!! I am sure you are interrupting your day to go and help.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Really should leave it to the American Coast Guard. They have had extensive training in helicopter hurricane relief.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The American Coast Guard has 2 aviation facilities in Bahamas with a good contingent of helicopters. Don’t get in the way of the Coast Guard relief effort.

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      • Anonymous says:

        They went missing in action in Irma and Maria

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        • Anonymous says:

          Perhaps you did not know that hurricanes Irma and Maria did not hit Bahamas where there are 2 American Coast Guard bases. They were not missing in action.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Think you will fnd all the coast guard helicopters are from Florida, it is good they are there.

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            • Anonymous says:

              No 8:49, that is not true. The American Coast Guard has a major program in Bahamas which is directed at keeping illegal drugs coming from the Caribbean into Florida by boat. That is why there are a number of helicopters at the 2 bases there.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Until we get a second helicopter we cannot afford to stretch our resources too thin. The Bahamas are well equipped or should be for this type of storm. We should focus on our shores.

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    • Anonymous says:

      let the good herb come

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    • Anonymous says:

      7:39 so much for Caymankind.. We got help after Ivan. It’s only right that we do what we can to help out other islands in need. Shame on you!

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    • Anonymous says:

      What shores we have to focus on. Is it the one that is all own by DART??? You are so selfish. Would you like to be in that situation and someone tell you what you have said. People like you need to be put on a piece of Wood with no food or water and put out in the middle of the ocean to be by your self. #####selfish

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      • Anonymous says:

        We don’t exactly have the spare funds to be the savior of the Caribbean.

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        • Anonymous says:

          If you think taking the basic necessities such as water, and canned food for people that really need it is going to set Cayman back then you don’t know the Cayman Islands and you don’t deserve to be called a Caymanian.

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        • Anonymous says:

          We certainly don’t have spare funds to be the savior of the Caribbean, when we need the funds to convince the public to vote yes in a referendum to build a new port, which incidentally, would probably be destroyed in a hurricane similar to Dorian.

    • Anonymous says:

      You sound like a person that runs away first instead of helping so that you don’t get killed everyone else does.

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  7. Camille Cleare says:

    Thank you Cayman #onelove 🇧🇸🙌🏼🏝🌎

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  8. Say it like it is says:

    This must surely be the greatest hurricane related disaster of all time in the Caribbean and it is still not over. As if 200mph winds and monstous tidal surgeswere not terrible enough this monster is now stationary and still over the Bahamas. I hope Britain and all the Caribbean countries along with Cayman will do their best to provide relief to the victims of this unimaginable tragedy.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    CNS are any charities on island taking food/clothes/medical supply donations? Is there anything the general public can do to help at this time? I would like to send physical supplies rather than money donations as I feel this would be more likely to go to the people who need it.

    CNS: I’ve emailed the Red Cross and will do a separate story if they or the government is gathering supplies. I imagine there will be a lot of need in the months to come.

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    • Colin Fawkes. Rotary Central President 2019-2020. says:

      At this point in time “cash is king”. This will allow local businesses from the unaffected Bahamian Islands to supply emergency materials, which will benefit not only their local economy, but will get supplies quickly to where they are needed. Unfortunately there are no direct shipping routes to the Bahamas from Cayman, and we are not even sure if the airports on the affected islands are working.

      The 4 Cayman Rotary Clubs and 2 Rotaract Clubs will shortly be wiring money to the Bahamas, where 100% will be used in the relief process.

      If you wish to send money, we would suggest contacting a member of any Rotary/Rotaract Club and we will ensure your donation gets quickly to those on the ground who know what is immediately needed.

      CNS: I have just posted a story on the Red Cross and RBC appeals. If you would like me to include Rotary in that, could you email me at info@caymannewsservice.com

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      • Anonymous says:

        Never will I give cash to the Red Cross. Rotary it is.

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        • Anonymous says:

          The Red Cross does not generally segregate its donations. Your money may or may not go to the exact emergency you think you are donating to. Not knocking them but if you want your money to go to the Bahamas, pick a charity just for that.

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