Untreated chronic illnesses, wounds and stress-related complications are some of the medical issues Abaco Islands residents are still facing in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, according to a Catholic Charities-sponsored medical team leader who recently visited the region.
In a sign of hope, all grade levels at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy in Freeport, Grand Bahama, started holding classes Sept. 23—at least on a part-time basis.
The former president of Canadian Caritas believes that the scrutiny of Canada's Catholic bishops of the organization's structures are hurting its members and reputation.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, Bahamian officials fear that great numbers of people could have been swept away into the sea to their deaths, leaving the official count unknowable.
“Infrastructure has been severely damaged, as have institutions and businesses,” Archbishop Pinder said. Though the official death count was 30 on Sept. 6, “we are assured the death toll is bound to increase.”