NEMA receives six mobile homes from Island Luck to provide temporary housing for the Hurricane Joaquin victims on the impacted islands. The homes were handed over during a presentation on Friday, October 23, 2015 at Arawak Cay. Pictured from left are Barbara Burrows, National Recovery and Reconstruction Unit; Sebas Bastian, CEO, Island Luck and Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA. (PHOTO/NEMA/Island Luck)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, received six trailer homes donated by Island Luck gaming house CEO Sebas Bastian to the tune of $65,000, for temporary housing for victims of the recent devastating Hurricane Joaquin.
During the presentation ceremony on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Arawak Cay port, Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell was certainly delighted that the corporate sponsor “showed in a tangible and fantastic way” that he promised he would do.
Captain Russell said the mobile homes would provide the need and bridge the gap in those islands where the homes of residents were severely damaged or totally destroyed by the Category 4 storm.
The mobile homes are outfitted with living quarters, bathroom, and a kitchen with stove and fridge, carpeted floors and air conditioning. A full technical team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force would carry out an inspection before the homes are shipped where needed.
Captain Russell said already on order, are additional mobile homes at an estimated cost of $200,000, which are expected to be shipped next week.
Barbara Burrows, a member of the National Recovery and Reconstruction Unit after inspecting the furniture and décor said “the insides are truly attractive” and that families are being identified to occupy them.
“It will be a wonderful gift for residents, until their homes are repaired or rebuilt,” she said.
Mr. Bastian, who previously announced he would be purchasing the homes was happy to turn them over to NEMA so those in the Central and Southeast Bahamas can have temporary housing.
“It is exciting to see what NEMA is doing. That is why the private sector is helping. It is all our responsibility,” said Mr. Bastian, adding that six additional homes would be purchased.
He said he was lucky to obtain the trailer homes particularly as there is a demand for them based on recent similar tragedy in the United States.
The full complement of trailer homes would be recycled, as the need arises, during the reconstruction phase.
