Hope After Devastation

September 25, 2019

Before it turned Halifax upside-down, hurricane Dorian made landfall on September 1st on the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. It then moved on to the Grand Bahama Island for the next couple of days, finally departing on September 3rd. Dorian hit each island as a category 5 hurricane. The extreme wind, flooding, and loss of life has made it one of the worst recorded hurricanes in history. A large number of towns and communities were evacuated shortly after the storm and the devastation has resulted in communities being almost entirely cut off from each other – and out of reach from aid. Airports, airstrips, and roads are covered with rubble and debris and therefore unusable. The harbours are filled with sunken boats and debris blown into the sea from the wind or pulled in by the storm surges.

World Hope International (WHI) arrived on the scene with the first wave of responders on September 5th. One of the main ways they have been able to help is by meeting the critical need for water amongst people still scattered by the storm and those who have returned to their devastated communities. WHI sent two teams with portable solar-powered reverse osmosis units capable of purifying water from fresh or salt water. This method ensures that the supply of clean water is sustainable, and more economical than shipping in limited quantities of bottled water. With this quick response time and effective method, they were able to supply water to many Bahamian communities, and they move to new areas as the needs change. 

WHI has also helped by shipping in large amounts of emergency supplies, and by clearing airfields and harbours to support the opening of the traffic into the Abacos. They also set up 4 water points and are now establishing fuel depots. 

Deep Water supports WHI through our ReachOut initiative. As a congregation we are able to be a part of this critical and life-saving work. While many of us lost power for days here in Halifax, many of our Bahamian neighbours lost everything- their homes, their communities, and their lives. Thank you Deep Water, for giving faithfully so that we can have the privilege of supporting those who extend their hands to help both now and in the days to come.