After speaking with attorneys and experts relating to Hurricane Dorian and the relief efforts, I wanted to update all signatories with some of the things and ideas that I am hearing.
1. Rather than personally bringing water, food, tents, or other supplies, the victims of Hurricane Dorian living on Abaco and GBI really need to be evacuated from the Islands and brought to safety. The materials will not likely have a place to be stored, will be subject to the elements, and there is little organization currently to distribute these items to people in a proper way. Moreover, the islands need to be evacuated before they can be rebuilt and lived on. Large portions of the islands are just uninhabitable. If you want to help the Bahamas, please donate MONEY to reputable charities who are working alongside the Bahamian government who know exactly what supplies are needed and what locations to bring them to, as many of those affected by the storm have already been relocated to different areas on the Island.The money can also be used to help get people out of the affected areas. For more information about the dangers of unwanted supplies and donations in a disaster zone, please watch to the video below.
2. Victims of Hurricane Dorian are in need of immediate extended visas into the United States, and the process for obtaining those visas need to be relaxed. Any person that comes to the United States with a valid Bahamian passport should be entitled to an extended stay in the country. Those who do not have passports should be held in the United States until their identities and credentials can be properly vetted and verified. The U.S. government should be working with the Bahamian government to obtain verification and proper identification of these individuals. Florida Senators Rubio and Scott appear to be working on this issue, but need other legislators and President Trump to support these measures and possibly go even further than what is currently being presented.
A big thank you to Attorney Paul Lawler from Jupiter, Florida, for all of your expertise and guidance on this issue, and thank you for vigorously circulating this petition. Your love for the Bahamas is evident.