Remarks – HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT – Wednesday 7 September 2005 
The Hon. Vincent Peet, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service 

Good Morning, 

Dr. David B. Hardt, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the American Embassy in The Bahamas, and other Embassy officials, Ag. Permanent Secretary Ms. Marilyn Zonicle and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Press. 

It was just two months ago, on 6 July 2005, when US Ambassador Rood and I, gathered in this room to affix signatures to a Memorandum of Understanding, where The Bahamas benefited from an additional $500,000 from the Government of the United States through the USAID Humanitarian assistance Programme, to aid in The Bahamas’ relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.  This, after almost $500,000 in emergency assistance, including relief supplies, local air transport, and monetary assistance to The Bahamas Red Cross.   

That Memorandum of Understanding, signed in the spirit of friendship and goodwill, demonstrated the commitment of your Government to maintain the strong, deep and abiding relationship which exists between our two countries.  

Today, the roles are reversed and we in The Bahamas are pleased for this opportunity to give back to you and your country as you have always, so readily given to us.  This is a Government to Government donation, but we are aware that, from all sectors and walks of life the Bahamian people are reaching out in a tangible way to the United States.   

Our human minds cannot fathom the misery and hopelessness that have been brought to bear on the people of the Gulf coast.  The horrific pictures of death, destruction and devastation that appear on our television screens, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, go beyond our imagination or comprehension.  It is reported that the damage incurred by the Category 4 Hurricane has left tens of thousands of people homeless in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.  Hurricane Katrina has flattened the city of New Orleans and its outlying parishes and the entire coastline of Mississippi.  The total number of lives lost in Louisiana has not yet been determined, and as the flood waters recede, the death toll is likely to rise.  

The tremendous loss of life yet undetermined, prompts us again to express our sincere regrets to the Government and people of the United States, as you undergo this experience of untold sorrow and suffering.  The damage to property and the economic devastation has already surpassed 100 billion dollars and it will, doubtless, take years to restore or rebuild.  We commiserate with, but are also confident that the Government of the United States will spare no effort to return its people to a life of normalcy and hope.  

Given the circumstances and The Bahamas’ own experience with the devastating effects of natural disasters, although not of this magnitude, The Bahamas Government took the decision to donate $50,000.00 to the Government of the United States, for its use, in any way possible, to assist the relief effort.   

So, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual concern, I am pleased to present you with this cheque of $50,000.00.

I thank you.