How Rockland groups are aiding Bahamas relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian

Rochel Leah Goldblatt
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

From churches to relief organizations, many in Rockland have stepped up to help those people whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.

Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, swept through the Bahamas at the beginning of September, mostly affecting the northern islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. The government and various relief agencies have reported more than 50 casualties, with more expected due to the high number of missing persons.

A man salvages debris in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, on Sept. 10, 2019, one week after Hurricane Dorian.

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The hurricane affected about 70,000 people, including about 18,000 children, and caused over $7 billion in damages, according to UNICEF and the World Food Programme. More than 5,000 people evacuated the affected area and more than 2,000 people are in government shelters, which are at capacity, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

Here's how you can help:

Dana Treacy, President & CEO of United Way of Rockland, welcomes volunteers, sponsors, nonprofits and elected officials to the 2019 Spring Day of Caring Kick-off Luncheon & Rally at the Palisades Center.

United Way

United Way of Rockland, through its Rockland County Disaster Relief Fund, has teamed up with the county and the Rockland County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters to accept monetary donations to help people affected by the hurricane.

Funds will be used for immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts — such as food, clothing, hygiene and cleaning products, recovery efforts or rebuilding supplies — and 100% of donations will go toward people in need, according to the statement.

Donations can be made online at www.uwrc.org or by check with "Hurricane Dorian" on it mailed to the United Way of Rockland, 135 Main St., 2nd floor, Nyack, NY 10960. For any questions, call United Way of Rockland at 845-358-8929.

A couples photograph is seen amongst the rubble in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Sept. 10, 2019, one week after Hurricane Dorian.

Konbit Neg Lakay

Rockland County Haiti Relief and Konbit Neg Lakay of Spring Valley have also teamed up in the relief efforts and are accepting donations until noon on Saturday.

Donations will be packed Saturday and taken to the Consulate General of the Bahamas in Manhattan, which will then ship the items to those in need next week, officials said.

“Many of these victims have nothing – no home, no bed, no clothes, nothing,” Yola Moiso, director of operations at Konbit Neg Lakay, said Wednesday in a statement. “They are struggling, but we can help them by donating the items they are most in need of now.”

The drive is being sponsored by Rockland County Legislator Aney Paul and other volunteers who participated in relief efforts in Haiti and Puerto Rico in 2016 and 2017.

Donations can be dropped off at Konbit Neg Lakay at 16 E. Church St. in Spring Valley from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until noon on Saturday. For more information call 845-425-4623.

Clothes dry on a line in an abandoned destroyed home in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Sept. 10, 2019, one week after Hurricane Dorian.

Here is the list of the items that are needed: No clothing will be accepted.

  • Baby wipes
  • Batteries
  • Blankets
  • Bleach
  • Blow-up mattresses
  • Bug spray
  • Canned goods
  • Can openers (non-electric)
  • Cups, paper plates and plastic utensils
  • Diapers (baby and adult)
  • Duct tape
  • First-aid kits
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Flashlights or portable lanterns
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Handheld fans
  • Heavy duty work gloves & boxes of gloves
  • Hygiene products (soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, lotion, foot powder, combs, brushes, etc.)
  • Lysol wipes
  • Tylenol; Motrin; Advil
  • Hammers and nails
  • Toilet paper & paper towels
  • Zip ties
Two cars are seen in an area destroyed by a storm surge  in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Sept. 10, 2019, one week after Hurricane Dorian.

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of Spring Valley has been holding prayer services on Sundays for the people affected by the hurricane and is accepting donations until Oct. 6 for its Bahama Relief Disaster and Support Mission Accomplishment Project.

Donations can be made at the church at 6 Hoyt St. in Spring Valley. Services begin at 11 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School and a morning devotion precedes services.

Twitter: @ReporterRox