More than a week after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, thousands of people are without shelter and food, 2,500 are still missing, and Bahamas prime minister says he expects the death toll of 50 to "significantly increase."
Some 15,000 people are still in need of shelter or food, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
Officials also note that the list of 2,500 missing hasn't been checked against records of evacuees or the thousands of people staying in shelters, making it difficult to draw up casualty lists.
Thousands are scattered across the islands, with more than 5,000 people ending up on New Providence, the island where Nassau, the capital, is located. Authorities plan to put up tent cities in Nassau and as well as on Abaco, one of the hardest hit islands, where shelter for some 4,000 is planned.
Hurricane Dorian struck parts of the archipelago with 185 mph winds on Sept. 1, then settled in for almost two days of death and destruction before moving back into the Atlantic.
As the country tries to emerge from the devastating storm, limited commercial flights have resumed on Abaco, but the electrical infrastructure around Marsh Harbour, the island's largest city, has been destroyed.
Thank you to our partners at Giveback Homes for providing this information for how you can make a difference:
1. Donate a Water Filter
Consider donating a water filter ($50) - which provides access to clean water for 100 people for up to 5 years. With reports of up to 62,000 people needing clean drinking water in the Bahamas, Waves For Water is leading the charge with on the ground operations to deliver water filters and filtration systems to communities who need it most. #w4wBahamasRelief
2. Help Provide Warm Meals
World Central Kitchen is a non-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing fresh meals in the wake of natural disasters. They have already served over 100,000 meals in the Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian hit. #ChefsforBahamas
Donate to World Central Kitchen
3. Open Your Home to First-Responders and Evacuees
Giveback Homes is teaming up with Airbnb’s Open Homes program to help support evacuees. Do you need emergency housing? Or can you host community members in need of temporary housing? Airbnb's Open Homes Program lets homeowners offer their space for free to people going through a difficult time.
Learn More About Airbnb Open Homes
