Hurricane Dorian – Helping Has No Borders

When the call comes from Globalmedic, Detective Sergeant Don Jorgensen is quick to join the rapid response team. They, like him, are Canadian volunteers with Globalmedic, who help all around the world to aid in the aftermath of disaster and crisis. Most of the volunteers come from first-responder professions, taking what they do at home, abroad. This response is critical in an emergency and their intervention helps to save lives, and reduce suffering.

Don Jorgensen is currently in the Bahamas set up in Nassau. While Nassau was not damaged by the hurricane, it is the main hub for business and government. He is currently running a team of seven Globalmedic rapid response team members.

His job thus far has been to liaise with local business people and government representatives to get aid in from Canada and then out to his team in the field. The team is currently using mobile water purification units set up in the City of Freeport as community drinking water access stations.

In Bahamas, the fresh water is never safe to drink, and after the hurricane, much of it was further contaminated by seawater. They have located fresh water wells, and use them as a source to produce safe drinking water. Additionally, they have been distributing personal water purification and family emergency kits to people in need on Grand Bahama and the island of Abaco.

The Bahamas have been evacuating people from the two islands hardest hit and are setting up IDP camps known as tent cities. Don have been working with local officials in Nassau to equip the camps with safe drinking water and family hygiene kits.

When Don Jorgensen was asked why he decided to be a part of this organization, he said “As a member of a Globalmedic rapid response team, we are able to get people the help they need when they need it the most, right after the hurricane. I have the skills and ability to help those in crisis and I really feel it is the least I can do.”