Below is a repost from Donna Luh​​ and Jerry Luh​​ on the restoration efforts in the Ragged Islands, Bahamas. https://www.facebook.com/restorationraggedisland/

Fair Winds & Quiet Anchorages,
Jeff & Wendy
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Friday, January 24, 2018
Good morning,

Many of our friends have asked how the people on Ragged Island are doing and how they can best be helped. We are hoping you can assist in getting this information out over any nets you can think of...Caribbean Weather Center, Cruiseheimers Net/blog, the Waterway Cruising Net, The Boat Galley/Newsletter, personal facebooks/blogs,... plus any other means you can imagine.

Unlike in the United States, there is no FEMA in the Bahamas and the Bahamian government has given no indication of forthcoming assistance for the badly damaged Ragged Islands. Time passes and people forget those in need.
SO...2 ways to help financially:

1. GoFundMe account. https://www.gofundme.com/raggedisland

2. Restoration Ragged Island Association (a nonprofit) is accepting donations thru:

Scotiabank Bahamas Limited
Telephone #: 242-502-3161
Bay Street East
Nassau, Bahamas
Branch #50385/3334292

Wire transfers thru:
JP Morgan/Chase Bank NY
Swift Code: ChaseUS 33
ABA: 021000021

For the Scotiabank Bahamas Limited
NOSC BSNS
Branch: 50385
Beneficary: Restoration Ragged Island Association
Account #: 3334292


First hand knowledge for those who know Ragged Island:
Jerry and I took a tour of the entire island with Maxine (the boaters emissary on the island) and talked with many of the remaining residents. No building on the island was unscathed by Hurricane Irma and the accompanying 3 tornadoes that cut thru the island taking everything in their path on September 8, 2017 .

Many homes were totally destroyed, roofs blown away, windows blown out, and sections of houses demolished by flying debris. All the heavy equipment remaining on the island for construction of the defense force docks was turned over and flooded. Only one fishing boat was damaged due to the islanders’ forward thinking of trailering the boats and hiding them in the brush. The hurricane came in from the northeast and breached thru the island on the north end bringing ocean water into the salt ponds. After the eye went over, the winds returned from the southeast and took sand and water high onto the island with devastation of plant life and shoreline. The school, police station, and administrative buildings are uninhabitable. The island is being patrolled by the defense force who has set up operations in the one remaining church...the Baptist church is gone. All but 17 residents were evacuated during the hurricane but those who have anything to return to are slowly trickling back in and restoration has begun. Everyone is upbeat and doing the best they can with what they have.

Electricity and cell phone service have been restored and parts for the RO (reverse osmosis) water plant are expected to be installed soon. The Captain C is making regular visits to the island with supplies but mail service has not resumed therefore making it difficult to get mail to the islanders.

What the people need most is financial aid. Individuals can no longer bring supplies in duty free except thru the Restoration Ragged Island Association. By using one of the two methods listed above, we can help our Ragged Island friends.

Check out https:b-m.facebook.com/RestorationRaggedIsland plus these three sites for more current pictures and information about Duncantown:
www.persephonesail.blogspot.com (Life Aboard Persephone)
www.sailblogs.com (search for: Scheherazade)
www.facebook.com/CruisingOnReach/posts/80292722322598

Thank each and every one of you who have taken time to read and consider the plight of these people. Your help will be appreciated.

Your friends,

Donna and Jerry Luh
sv Bluejacket