Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman and Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet, along with CARICOM officials, last week visited the hurricane-ravaged Abaco Island accompanied by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hon. Hubert Minnis.

Abaco Island, in the Bahamas, was the worst hit of the island grouping, with widespread devastation and an official death toll at 35 (on Friday, Sep. 6), with thousands still unaccounted for.

Following a Cabinet briefing on Friday, Bahamian Prime Minister Hon. Hubert Minnis, said:

“As a result of Hurricane Dorian, the official death count in the Bahamas is 43–35 in Abaco and eight in Grand Bahama. We acknowledge that there are many missing and the number of deaths is expected to significantly increase. The loss of life we are experiencing is catastrophic and devastating.”

Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Hon. Allen Chastanet, said the devastation is a stark reminder of the necessity of adaptation.

“Witnessing the destruction on Abaco Island is extremely heartbreaking,” he said. “It is a sad reminder of the challenges and threats which continue to affect the development and existence of Small Island Developing States. It’s is also a reminder that we must continue to invest in building resilience while always remaining in state of readiness for whatever challenges nature may throw our way.”

He also expressed gratitude for the contributions of governments, organizations and individuals toward the relief efforts in the Bahamas.

The Bahamian government stated that it will provide timely information on the loss of life as it becomes available. However, the prime minister stressed that the priority is to notify grieving families and provide the help that they need.