Caribbean Hurricanes

CARIBBEAN HURRICANES

Shelter and Beds for Displaced Families

31

Barebones Shelters
49

Sleeping Mats
60

Sleeping Bags
81

Discobed BunkBeds

Hurricane Dorian Relief

Tifie and Barebones traveled to the Bahamas in October of 2019 to set up shelters for Hurricane Dorian survivors. We partnered with Open World Relief in their essential work in the Caribbean, first after Maria and now after Dorian. They are on the front lines of taking care of people, from fire abatement to clean water distribution, shelter set up to first responder efforts, as well as whatever else comes up. With a generous donation from Barebone’s logistics company, Mainfreight Logistics, a shipment of Barebones shelters, Discobed bunk beds and bedding were shipped and arrived by donated charter plane in Abaco.

Open World Relief, Abaco Residents and Tifie team in a new Barebones Shelter The Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian Relief 2019. OpenWorld Relief/Laura M. Hamel

Hope Was Rising

Four families resided in an area covered with rubble, in living spaces cobbled together by walls, fabric and tarps. It could be called a four-wall structure, but certainly not a house. The debris and destruction was overwhelming. Once the shelter started going up, it was like a palpable hope was rising. The families started clearing debris and helping put up the platform and structures. Chris, in the orange shirt, was so thankful and was extremely helpful with set up.

Foundations First

The team found or built stable platforms to ensure that these shelters can be a long-term solution. One local guy started building a platform once he saw what the team was doing. The excitement within the community that grows in these type of situations is amazing. Once the first shelter went up, lots of people were interested, watching or started helping. These shelter get families out of the rain, give them space to be able to stand, and give them a privacy, unlike tarps. These shelters, on a firm foundation, give families a launching point to rebuild their lives.

The Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian Relief 2019. OpenWorld Relief/Laura M. Hamel

Erik Workman, Director, Barebones
"Going on a humanitarian trip, you realize that it's not just about setting up a tent. It’s listening to the local team and finding out what’s going on in the community. It's about jumping in wherever there is a need. One day, we were going out to find tent set-up locations but instead came across a fire that was growing and needed attention. A volunteer was with us who happened to be a firefighter. He rallied the local (and exhausted) community fire volunteers and brought the community together. In a post-disaster environment, our connection to one another as humans takes priority, not just completing the plan for the day.”