Heavy-duty vehicles donated to help Hurricane Dorian rebuild

Heavy-duty vehicles donated to help Hurricane Dorian rebuild
One of the five Roxor heavy-duty off-road vehicles.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Five heavy-duty off-road vehicles have been donated to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to strengthen the recovery and resettlement efforts in the northern Bahamas following the passage of Hurricane Dorian.

The ROXOR vehicles arrived at NEMA Headquarters in New Providence on November 5, and will be distributed to Abaco and Grand Bahama to help with aid and relief efforts on each affected island.

The trucks were valued at $125,340, and donated by United States’ Mahindra Automotive North America, Global X Sports and Tropicars in partnership with the Sandals Foundation.

Raymond Grobelny, General Manager at Tropicars, said the heavy-duty vehicles will bring added value to the work taking place along the islands’ rugged terrain.

“These powerful vehicles will help the relief and rebuilding efforts of the Bahamian Government in a big way! They have a turbo diesel engine, can tow 3400lbs, and are equipped with a heavy duty Warn Winch and LED lights which will allow emergency crews to work around the clock and gives them the power needed to get the job done.”

Captain Stephen Russell, NEMA Director, described the vehicles as “lovely”.

He noted that the generous donation will support the law enforcement efforts, security and rescue support, as necessary on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

The Sandals Foundation has been a key partner of NEMA and other local government entities to coordinate relief and recovery response following the passage of the category 5 storm.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation expressed that the impact of the Foundation was made possible because of a global network of partners, guests, well-wishers, travel agents and Sandals Resorts International.

“We are grateful for the very strong community of support that answered the call to respond to the Relief Effort needs in Northern Bahamas. So far, with the help of all our partners, the Sandals Foundation has been able to raise USD $400,000 and provide relief in cash and kind at a total value of USD $1.2 million.”

Moving forward, Clarke said the Sandals Foundation will be working closely with NEMA and the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association to identify long-term rebuilding projects in the areas of schools, children’s homes and health clinics.