Emergency Aid for Hurricane Disaster in the Bahamas

September 28, 2004

The Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind, equivalent to about 5.5 million yen, comprising tents, electric generators, reels of electric cords, blankets, plastic jerry cans, and plastic sheets, to the government of the Bahamas, which has sustained a large-scale disaster from hurricanes.
The Bahamas was hit by a series of hurricanes: Hurricane Frances on September 6 and Hurricane Jeanne on September 25, which caused great damage centering on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. Prime Minister Perry Christie designated these two islands disaster areas and declared a state of emergency. The reported damage on the islands is as follows: about 2,000 people evacuated; about 800 houses totally or partially destroyed; facilities such as airports, roads, bridges, schools, and ports, and their equipment and materials damaged or carried away by floods; and electricity and water supply completely cut off. The exact scale of the damage throughout the country consisting of as many as 700 small islands is still unknown. The damage caused by Hurricane Frances alone, however, amounts to 100 million dollars.

The two hurricanes hit the Bahamas within a three-week period. Hurricane Jeanne further extended the damage to the country, while the nation was still trying to recover from the disaster caused by Hurricane Frances. The Government of the Bahamas, while conducting relief operations of its own, has requested emergency aid from the international community.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency aid for humanitarian response to those afflicted by the disaster and in view of the friendly relations between Japan and the Bahamas.

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