The Grand Bahama Port Authority announced that it made a $30,000 holiday contribution to Samaritan’s Purse in support of ongoing recovery efforts in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The donation, made on behalf of the Shareholders, Executive, and all GBPA employees, reflects the organisation’s longstanding commitment to service, compassion, and regional solidarity.
Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground in Jamaica, providing emergency assistance to communities working to rebuild in the aftermath of the storm. Their efforts include delivering critical relief supplies, distributing clean water, providing shelter materials, and providing direct support to families whose homes and livelihoods have been severely impacted.
GBPA’s $30,000 donation will directly bolster these efforts, helping to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to reach vulnerable households and accelerate the restoration of essential services across the hardest hit communities.
“Our Shareholders and Employees understand what it means to face catastrophic loss, and we also know the value of swift and compassionate intervention,” said Ian Rolle, President of GBPA. “Samaritan’s Purse stood with Grand Bahama in our darkest hour, and today we are honoured to stand with Jamaica. This contribution is more than a gesture; it is a continuation of the same spirit of care and partnership that helped our island recover after Hurricane Dorian.”
Following Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Samaritan’s Purse played a vital role in Grand Bahama’s emergency response. The organisation deployed more than 360 tons of relief supplies, partnered with GBPA to construct an emergency field hospital in Freeport capable of treating more than 100 patients daily, and established fresh water distribution sites across the island.
Their work provided lifesaving support to thousands of residents during an unprecedented crisis. “That experience is forever etched in the memory of our organisation and our community,” Rolle added. “Our donation this year is our way of paying forward the tremendous support we
received.”
Raoul Armbrister, Samaritan’s Purse Regional Director, welcomed the donation and underscored its impact. “We are deeply grateful to the Grand Bahama Port Authority and its employees for this generous $30,000 contribution,” Armbrister said. “These funds will allow us to continue responding quickly and effectively to the needs of families in Jamaica who are still facing immense challenges after Hurricane Melissa. Support like this makes a tangible difference on the ground and reminds communities that they are not facing recovery alone.”
The Grand Bahama Port Authority views this initiative as part of its broader commitment to building resilient communities and supporting regional partners in times of need. By directing holiday resources toward humanitarian assistance, GBPA aims to contribute meaningfully to the
recovery underway in Jamaica, while also honouring the values of generosity and shared responsibility that define the season.
For more information about Samaritan’s Purse and its ongoing work in Jamaica and across the region, please visit the organisation’s website.
###
