Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama
Delivery and distribution of recovery and relief items to the people of the Grand Bahama
Aviation Without Borders USA (AWB-USA) carried out its maiden recovery and relief shipment in conjunction with its German sister agency Wings of Help / Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. (LOG). Dual powered generators, construction power tools, environmental clean-up & debris management equipment and relief kits were delivered to the Bahamians on October 12th 2019. This operation would not have been possible without the kind support of the people of Germany and the incredible flexibility and generosity of the world-renowned family-run Gebr. Heinemann company. We, at AWB-USA, would also like to express our gratitude to the hardworking staff at Amazon.com, Sam’s Club and Home Depot in ensuring our supply chain worked seamlessly.
We are also indebted to the honorable Maurice Moore, former Bahamian ambassador to the United Nations, and his son, Maurice Junior, for their tremendous assistance in ensuring all relief items procured were fit for purpose for the recovery efforts. Katherine Smith Forbes, President of the Bahamas Senate and Head of the Civil Protection Agency NEMA urged that the international community continues with their support of the recovery efforts and reminded that 14 of the Bahamian islands are open to tourists which is the lifeblood of the Bahamas economy.
High Rock
displaced household in donated temporary shelter
Freeport Airport
One of many light aircraft totally destroyed
Distribution Point
ambassador moore and friends at local distribution point
High Rock
Hurricane compliant residence destroyed as result of the sea surge
AWB-USA and LOG together with our fellow members of Aviation Sans Frontieres International (ASF International) are continuing with our collective efforts to support the recovery activities of NEMA and the Government of the Bahamas, through the supply of educational equipment and materials.
AWB-USA is concurrently working with various companies within the US housing and construction sector in seeking sustainable housing solutions for the affected households on the Abaco and Grand Bahamas islands. Innovate and sustainable construction solutions are now a top priority for the Government of the Bahamas as a hurricane makes a direct hit on the islands on average, every four years. Prior to hurricane Dorian, one Category 5 hurricane and seven Category 4 hurricanes had struck the Bahamas since storms were first recorded in 1851.
Aviation Without Borders USA was founded just weeks ago on September 2019. AWB-USA, through its network of international, national and local partners maintains a non-competitive philosophy in order to afford stakeholders direct access to the most isolated people in need irrespective of geographical location. We work to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations impacted by natural, man-made and social disasters by providing integrated donor to beneficiary solutions in order to contribute to equal access for all to shelter, water, food, healthcare, and education.
Wings of Help/Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. (LOG), headquartered at Frankfurt Airport, continues to spread its wings around the world to help people in need. Founded in 2003, the charitable aid organization works together with airlines, logistics firms and many renowned German and globally engaged companies. In its 16-year history, LOG has rapidly and unceremoniously delivered aid, food and much-needed pharmaceuticals supplies in excess of 6,000 ton and valued at more than €120 million to people in need on every continent.
Aviation Sans Frontières was founded in France in 1980 in the wake of the “Without Borders” movement. In 2016, ASF International was formed in Geneva. ASF-International is a global NGO that serves as the umbrella organization of ten independent ASF national members worldwide: Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, and the USA.