Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, was mighty and left many areas with severe destruction. The Bahamas were one of the hardest-hit areas. Weeks after the storm began, officials are still assessing the damage and destruction. What we do know is it will take a long time to rebuild and recover. Many travel brands are taking steps to offer their help in the Bahamas relief efforts. Keep reading to see what’s being done to assist with Hurricane Dorian damage and to learn more about how you can make an impact.
Cruise lines have been offering assistance by transporting those who were trapped or in harm’s way and bringing them to safety. This includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Bahamas Paradise. Now in the aftermath of the storm, cruise lines are continuing to use their ships to deliver goods and provide aid.
The Celebrity Equinox cruise ship, which was in the Bahamas, rerouted to provide help. Kitchen staff prepped meals and passengers volunteered to sort and pack them up to deliver to survivors of the storm. Around 10,000 meals were donated.
Atlantis Paradise Island and Brookfield Asset Management have pledged $3 million toward relief efforts. They also started providing help before the storm hit. Atlantis partners with Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen — and worked hard to prep meals to be delivered to Abaco Islands and the Grand Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line and Norweigan Cruise Line each donated $1 million to support relief efforts. Delta Airlines flew relief supplies to Marsh Harbour Airport and then brought back evacuees. American Airlines is collecting donations along with the American Red Cross. AAdvantage members will earn 10 miles for every dollar that they donate to the Red Cross. United Airlines is collecting donations and will match up to $100,000. Atlantis Paradise Island also started a fundraiser to collect donations.
You may be wondering how you can assist with the Bahamas relief efforts. You can donate to the above donations and organizations that are making a difference or can choose other charities to support. Charity Navigator has a suggested list of organizations to support relief efforts.
Another thing that we can all do is continue to give our tourism dollars to the Bahamas. Parts of the islands are still visitable at this time, and tourism revenue will go back to rebuilding the islands. Travelers can access many popular attractions in the northern, central, and southern islands.
These are the suggested (non-affected) islands to visit: Acklins and Crooked Island, Andros, The Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, The Exumas, Inagua, Mayaguana, Nassau and Paradise Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.