The Bahamas Ministry of Finance published opening remarks by Prime Minister Philip Davis at the first Whole-of-Disaster Risk Management Symposium, where he called for disaster preparedness to be treated as economic, infrastructure and climate policy. Davis emphasized the shift from reacting after disasters to anticipating risks, protecting fiscal space and investing in resilient infrastructure. He noted that future shocks could include hurricanes, flooding, drought, wildfire or disruptions to telecommunications, electricity and water systems. Reviewing measures taken since Hurricane Dorian caused an estimated $3.4 billion in damages and losses, Davis cited the establishment of the Disaster Risk Management Authority and the strengthening of disaster financing through CCRIF, dedicated emergency and prevention funds, and a national Disaster Risk Financing Strategy. He also highlighted the creation of the Climate, Environment and Advisory Unit and work with the Inter-American Development Bank on disaster governance, climate and disaster budget tagging, and the national risk management framework. The remarks reviewed existing measures and did not announce a new policy or timetable.
2026-09-04Ministry of Finance (Bahamas)
Bahamas Ministry of Finance publishes Prime Minister Davis’s call to embed disaster resilience in economic policy
The Bahamas Ministry of Finance published remarks by Prime Minister Philip Davis calling for disaster resilience to be embedded in economic, infrastructure and climate policy. Davis reviewed existing institutional and financing measures introduced since Hurricane Dorian and emphasized a shift from post-disaster response to anticipating risk. No new policy or timetable was announced.