LocationsBahamas opens globally recognized climate resilient Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre on Abaco
October 24, 2025
Pictured during Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Thursday 23 October, are from left: Chairman at the Disaster Risk Management Authority, Alex Storr; Dr. Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative; High Commissioner of India to The Bahamas (resident in Kingston, Jamaica), His Excellency Shri Mayank Joshi; Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles LaRoda; and Minister of State with responsibility for Disaster Risk Management, the Hon. Leon Lundy.
A climate resilient hurricane shelter, able to withstand category five level disasters and flagged as a global best practice, is now open and activated on Abaco, the culmination of a tri-lateral partnership between the Governments of The Bahamas and India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Built to withstand category five hurricanes and host up to 800 persons, the Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre is purpose-built for year-round community activities and a safe space during disasters for the people of Abaco.
The multipurpose centre has disability inclusive features at access points and bathrooms, an industrial kitchen, office space for emergency personnel and sporting facilities, with solar energy and water harvesting systems also soon coming to reduce operational costs.
The UNDP project was funded by India who provided one million USD from the India-UN Development Fund for establishment of the facility, as a gift from the Government of India to the people of The Bahamas, symbolising the deep friendship and enduring partnership between the two nations. The Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRA) of the Bahamas served as Implementing Partner for the initiative, mobilizing 3.5 million USD co-financing from the Government of The Bahamas. Parallel contributions of 138000 USD from the 2020 Pledge Conference and other contributions outside of the UNDP managed project came from other international development partners.
The facility stands as a gift from the Government of India to the people of The Bahamas, symbolizing India’s enduring friendship and solidarity with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their fight against climate change and natural disasters.
Honourable Leon Lundy, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Management, called the facility a physical expression of the promise to build more resilient and responsive systems in the wake of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. "It is the assurance that when the next warning comes, our people will have refuge, resources, and resolve ... In ordinary days, it will serve as a place of training, community meetings, skills building, and youth development. In extraordinary hours, it will become a sanctuary, a command post, a beacon of order when the winds rise and the waters push", Minister Lundy stated.
Aerial view of the Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre
High Commissioner of India to The Bahamas (resident in Kingston, Jamaica), His Excellency Shri Mayank Joshi disclosed that the Abaco Shelter has been chosen as a global best practice under the India-led Coalition of Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) – a global partnership inspired by India’s experiences with natural disasters, in which UNDP also serves as a strategic partner.
“As a nation that has faced floods, cyclones and earthquakes, we understand the importance of building capacities, strengthening infrastructure and preparing communities,” he stated. As we hand over this facility, we celebrate not just a building but a partnership of shared values, shared challenges, and share aspirations for a safer and more prosperous future,” High Commissioner Mayank Joshi said.
In a video message, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Director on the Management Board of the India–UN Development Partnership Fund commended the project’s completion and noted that it embodies the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family, reflecting India’s solidarity with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and its steadfast support for climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr Kishan Khoday lauded the multilateral partnership model supported by robust consultations with the people of Abaco, noting that through this shelter project, the people of Abaco had become teachers, and policy makers their students. “Having experienced a category five Hurricane, you must not only continue to share experiences and recommendations from the frontlines of the climate crisis, but guide what UN and policy makers must do to help your communities survive and thrive,” he told residents. He assured the Government and the people of the Bahamas that UNDP’s offer of support for their climate and disaster resilience agenda remains open, and consistent with UNDPs push for just and inclusive recovery from disasters in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Aarone Sargent, DRM-A Executive Director Aarone Sargent, said The Bahamas intends to expand the shelter model, with the goal of increasing national shelter capacity from three percent of the population to ten per cent. “In the coming years we will ensure that no matter where you live, from Inagua to Bimini, you have access to safety when it matters most,” he stated. He lauded the contractors, engineers, and project managers for their technical expertise, pride and precision and declared the shelter a testament to Bahamian skill, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
UNDP’s support for the Abaco hurricane shelter project concludes a comprehensive package of resilient recovery initiatives implemented in furtherance of The Bahamas’ post hurricane Dorian recovery priorities. UNDP partnered with the Bahamas on a wide range of interventions including resilience planning frameworks, debris removal, livelihoods recovery and housing building and damage assessments.
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