Officials at the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction Blessing of New Offices, from left: Isla Deane, Undersecretary; Minster of State, the Hon. Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; Archdeacon Keith Cartwright; Carl Smith, Permanent Secretary; and Gaye Outten-Moncur, Deputy Permanent Secretary, NEMA. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction was formed in September 2019 by the government in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.   Also formed under its umbrella was the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA), to work in harmony with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).  

The ministry recently moved out of the Office of the Prime Minister to its new location on the second floor of Campbell Maritime Centre, West Bay Street.

The new offices were blessed by Archdeacon Keith Cartwright during a ceremony, June 3, 2021.   He prayed for God’s protection during the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is projected to be above-average.

Mrs. Parker-Edgecombe, who succeeded Minister of State the Hon. Iram Lewis, is the first woman to lead such a ministry. She said she is impressed by the mixture of talent among the staff of the ministry and its agencies -- NEMA and the DRA – as the ministry continues to grow into its mandate.

The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction recently moved to its new location on the second floor of Campbell Maritime Centre, West Bay Street. The new offices were blessed by Archdeacon Keith Cartwright during a ceremony, June 3, 2021. Pictured among the staff are: the Minster of State for Disaster Preparedness,