The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives statement, regarding the earthquake in Haiti, Bahamians impacted and condition of the Bahamas Embassy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure the public that the Government is actively monitoring developments in Haiti following the massive earthquake which struck on 12 January, 2010.

The Ministry has received reports of several Bahamian citizens being in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. The Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Patrick Rolle, and Mr. Hubert Adderley of the Flight Inspectorate Department of the Department of Civil Aviation who were in Haiti attending the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Safety and Security Conference 11-15 January, 2010, have both reported that they are safe although Mr. Rolle did suffer a  superficial cut. The Ministry remains in touch with the Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation concerning their situation.

The Ministry has also received a report from a family that they have lost contact with their relative in Haiti.

The Ministry wishes to advise any member of the public who is aware of relatives travelling in Haiti to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 502-9530 or 322-7624 ext. 268 and provide the information to Undersecretary Carlton Wright.

The Ministry also wishes to advise that Bahamian citizens visiting Haiti at the time of the earthquake should be aware of the address of the Embassy of The Bahamas:

12 Rue Goulard

Place Boyer, Petionville

Port-au-Prince

Telephone No. (509) 256-4407/257-8782

Fax No. (509) 256-5729

Mobile No. (509) 372-2982 

As communications to and within Haiti are difficult; persons in Haiti are asked to call the mobile number in the first instance. Persons in The Bahamas should channel enquiries via the Ministry so that the Embassy numbers are kept free for persons in Haiti trying to communicate with The Bahamas.

The Ministry also wishes to advise that Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham has been in communication with the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica and Chairman of Caricom, regarding the region’s response to providing assistance to Haiti. Consultations are ongoing.

The Ministry has also been in consultation with the Caricom Secretariat and has made the Embassy of The Bahamas available to assist in the coordination and delivery of assistance to Haiti. Caricom Assistant Secretary General Colin Granderson will head that mission.

The Ministry has been in touch with the Ambassador of Haiti to The Bahamas to convey the Government’s commitment to assist Haiti to the best of its ability.

Diplomatic representatives of The Bahamas abroad were immediately instructed to support all initiatives to assist Haiti in responding to this disaster and are in contact with their Haitian counterparts overseas.

On behalf of the people and Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Ministry would wish to extend its deepest condolences to the bereaved people and Government of Haiti for the loss of life and property in the wake of the earthquake.