An aerial view of houses in the Bahamas from a Coast Guard aircraft, Sept. 3, 2019. (Photo/JTA-Getty Images-U.S. Coast Guard by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Stanton) News World Jewish groups provide aid to the Bahamas in wake of Hurricane Dorian Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By JTA | September 4, 2019 The Israel-based humanitarian group IsraAID, B’nai B’rith International and Chabad are among those pitching in to help the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation, which killed at least seven people. “We are in the midst of a historic tragedy in parts of the northern Bahamas,” Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said at a news conference on Sept. 4, adding the “devastation is unprecedented and extensive.” 1/2 Today at my national briefing I was deeply saddened to report that thus far there have been 5 confirmed deaths in Abaco as the result of #HurricaneDorain. We are in the midst of a historic tragedy in parts of the northern Bahamas. pic.twitter.com/Yj1nn9Fbr4 — Dr Hubert Minnis (@minnis_dr) September 3, 2019 The hurricane stalled over Grand Bahama Island for nearly two days, leaving whole neighborhoods, as well as airports and hospitals, submerged. At least 13,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed on Abaco and Grand Bahama islands. IsraAID, a humanitarian aid agency that responds to emergency crises and engages in international development around the world, announced on Sept. 3 that it would send emergency support to the Bahamas. Its emergency response team planned to distribute relief supplies, offer psychological first aid and deploy water filters to restore access to drinking water while conducting further needs assessments in affected communities, the NGO said in a statement. In 2018, IsraAID said its emergency response teams reached 26,300 people with safe water, psychological and community support, and relief following nine disasters in seven countries. The group has opened an Emergency Response Fund to pay for its work. B’nai B’rith is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to assist those affected by Dorian. Donations will go to assist local recovery and rebuilding teams, the group said in a statement. Rabbi Sholom and Sheera Bluming, directors of Chabad of the Bahamas in Nassau, have been in touch with the Jewish community in Nassau, which was relatively unscathed by the hurricane, but they have not been able to reach some of those living on Abaco, who still remain unaccounted for, according to Chabad.org. The rabbi said that about 1,000 Jewish expats live in the Bahamas, and more than 100,000 Jews visit the islands each year. The Blumings have joined in the official government relief effort, calling on the Jewish community to help, and is coordinating a shipment of supplies from South Florida including food, drinking water and mosquito nets for Abaco. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee said in a statement that it would provide emergency medical supplies through its partner the Afya Foundation, and is raising funds for the supplies as well as for recovery and reconstruction initiatives. To tailor its response to the evolving situation on the ground, JDC said it has activated its network of partners and is assessing the situation in consultation with these local and international agencies. JDC’s disaster relief programs are funded by special appeals of the Jewish Federations of North America and tens of thousands of individual donors to JDC. Relief efforts of JDC are coordinated with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the Israeli government and the United Nations, as well as local and international partners. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. News Jewish organizations take in millions for relief efforts Local Voice IsraAID responds to Harvey: psych trauma, debris removal and the long haul Bay Area Manny’s and JFCS fundraiser brings in $275,000 for Ukrainian refugees U.S. Puerto Rico’s Jews brave devastation of Hurricane Maria Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up