The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and 2,400 cays. Its location in the Atlantic hurricane belt means the islands are subject to regular hydro-meteorological disasters including hurricanes, storms and cyclones, which occur most frequently between the months of August to November. The low relief of the islands makes them particularly vulnerable to flooding caused by storm surges and sea level rise.
In 2022, IFRC Disaster Law, in collaboration with The Bahamas Red Cross Society developed a case study, The Impact of Unsolicited Bilateral Donations on the Response to Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas. The case study examined the negative impact of unsolicited bilateral donations after Hurricane Dorian and analysed the sources and possible motivations behind these donations. On the basis of the International Disaster Response Law Guidelines, the report provided recommendations around how to develop effective key messages and communication strategies to reduce the incidence and impact of unsolicited bilateral donations on humanitarian emergency operations.
With the support of The Bahamas Red Cross Society, IFRC Disaster Law also published Disaster Recovery in The Bahamas: A Legal and Policy Survey in 2023. The report analysed the strengths and gaps of the legal and policy frameworks related to disaster recovery in The Bahamas, particularly within the context of the recovery efforts from Hurricane Dorian. It also examined the provisions of the new Disaster Risk Management Act, 2022 and provided detailed recommendations, including recommendations to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups during the recovery phase.
