ATLANTA — In the days after Hurricane Dorian ravaged the northern islands of the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm, relief efforts are beginning to be organized.
Here in Atlanta, the Bahamas Consulate is working non-stop to get help to the islands and is encouraging people to give - but to do so wisely.
It’s been hectic for employees of the Consulate.
“We have staff members at the consulate here that have not yet been found,” explained Astra Armbrister-Rolle, the Bahamas Consul General.
Her own uncle is still missing.
“He’s on the back of my mind, I’m still trying to hear from him," she said.
But, through the emotions, they’re working on ways to get supplies onto the islands.
"Oh, it was heartbreaking to see. Heartbreaking to see," she said of seeing the destruction left behind by the monster storm.
The Consulate is an official place for donations, and they have several partners throughout the state. They want to make sure people don’t get duped by fake charities or fundraisers.
"Only use our list of providers or they only use our community partners,” she urged.
Partners like Tara Nestich, who volunteered her shop - Pampered Puppy in Conyers - after witnessing the havoc brought onto the Bahamas.
“Can you imagine? 'Okay, we’re leaving our whole house' - everything. And not being able to take anything with you, and it’s just gone and you can’t go back to it," she said.
Items dropped off with Nestich will be sent to the Consulate, a trusted donation spot.
The Better Business Bureau remind all donors to do their research and follow these tips before donating any items or clothing:
- Verify if the charity is well-established or if they’re helping a larger organization.
- Watch out for newly-created organizations that pop up suddenly after Dorian.
- Find out if the charity is helping another larger organization.
- Never send cash.
- Avoid ambiguous GoFundMe accounts. Make sure the GoFundMe is raising money on behalf of a credible nonprofit or charity.
The Consul General added if anyone wants to keep up to date with the types of items they’ll need as donations, they can follow the Bahamas consulate on their social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter.