The Bahamas is gearing up to assist Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation Chester Cooper. Speaking at the New Providence Community Centre, which has been sheltering evacuees from the southern islands, Cooper emphasized that Bahamasair will play a pivotal role in the recovery efforts once conditions permit. ‘We will be offering some assistance to Jamaica, to be determined,’ Cooper stated. ‘No doubt Bahamasair will be involved in that effort as well.’ He highlighted that the national airline would resume flights to Jamaica to repatriate Bahamian students and support post-storm recovery, contingent on the reopening of airports and the state of Jamaica’s infrastructure. ‘Bahamasair will consider it on commercial terms, depending on the condition of the airport, the state of travel, and utilities,’ Cooper added, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to regional expansion. Cooper also lauded Bahamasair staff for their tireless efforts in evacuating residents from the southern Bahamas ahead of the hurricane. ‘If there was ever any doubt as to the value that Bahamasair brings to The Bahamas, we saw it over the last few days,’ he remarked. ‘They worked through the night, and they truly came through for the Bahamian people.’ Additionally, Cooper praised the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) and its partners for their coordination in relocating over 1,400 residents from Mayaguana, Inagua, Acklins, and Crooked Island to safety in New Providence. ‘This has been one of the largest evacuation exercises in the history of The Bahamas,’ he noted. DRMA managing director Aarone Sargent confirmed that evacuees would remain in New Providence until at least Sunday, with initial damage assessments in affected islands set to begin today. ‘We are now focused on finalizing our plans for response and recovery,’ Sargent said. Communication with those who remained on the islands has been limited due to pre-storm shutdowns of power and water, though Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers have been deployed to secure properties and assist residents.