During Day 3 in the Bahamas, a group spent the day assessing buildings and properties that would potentially be a good fit for shelters. Once they gathered contact information for property owners, realtors, community centers & unused government buildings, they made a strategic plan and narrowed down several options that would meet the minimum international standard. They reported back on their findings, as well as the reparations and material needed, should these locations be approved for shelters by NEMA-Bahamas.

This was also the last day of free evacuation planes at this airport in Nassau. The second team spent the day here registering evacuees, and assisted with their belongings. Delta also brought in a relief plane. At the airport hangar, organizations were also giving out food, and there was medical support, if needed. Evacuees were also were also given free cellphones, and supplies including the opportunity to speak to a social worker about temporary housing was presented.

In Freeport, the team participated in an EOC meeting organized by Government, where K1 was then requested to help streamline the warehousing / distribution process for the Government’s supplies coming in and going out to the distribution points. Consequently, the K1 team then spent the day at the warehouse alongside other dedicated volunteers from Urban Renewal Grand Bahama & Bimini, Public Treasury and NEMA, setting up a new process for the distribution, and will continue playing this role for the coming days.

The team was also invited to a trauma counseling session where they shared their experiences during Irma, played songs and took some time after to speak to various individuals. Two persons will also be doing one-on-one trauma counseling at the shelters in Freeport in the coming days.

Something very special that the team has witnessed is that everyone we’re working with in Freeport has personally lost family and loved ones and yet they’ve been so positive and wholeheartedly doing all that they can to contribute to the relief efforts. The love and appreciation they’ve shown us for being here has really warmed our hearts. We’ve been trying to take as much time as possible to share love and encouragement with those we’ve met and worked with throughout the day as much as we can.