A state-of-the-art hurricane shelter capable of withstanding category five storms has officially opened on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, showcasing a model of climate resilience hailed as a global best practice. The project represents a tri-lateral partnership between the governments of the Bahamas and India, with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Designed to endure winds of up to 200 miles per hour and accommodate 800 people, the multi-purpose facility doubles as a community center for year-round activities and a safe haven during extreme weather events. The shelter is equipped with solar power, water harvesting systems, disability-accessible features, an industrial kitchen, office space for emergency personnel, and outdoor areas for sports and community gatherings.
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The project was funded by a US$1 million grant from the India-UN Development Fund, with the Bahamian Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRA) overseeing construction and contributing US$3.5 million in co-financing.
Indian High Commissioner to the Bahamas, Shri Mayank Joshi, highlighted the shelter’s designation as a global best practice under the India-led Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), noting it reflects the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the idea that the world is one family.
“This facility represents not just a building, but a partnership rooted in shared values, shared challenges, and a shared aspiration for a safer, more resilient future,” Joshi said.
Minister of State for Disaster Risk Management, Leon Lundy, emphasized the dual purpose of the shelter. “In ordinary times, it will host training, community meetings, and youth development activities. In extraordinary circumstances, it becomes a sanctuary, a command post, and a beacon of order during hurricanes,” he said.
UNDP Resident Representative in the Bahamas, Dr. Kishan Khoday, praised the South-South cooperation model, noting its potential for replication across other Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). “SIDS are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. With hurricanes increasing in intensity, resilient infrastructure like the Abaco shelter is essential for community safety and rapid recovery,” Khoday said.
The hurricane-resilient facility concludes UNDP’s post-Hurricane Dorian recovery support in the Bahamas, while the Multi-Country Office in Jamaica continues to scale up disaster preparedness and climate resilience efforts across the Caribbean.
“With climate change intensifying and hurricanes like Melissa reaching record intensity in 2025, investing in resilient infrastructure is no longer optional—it is a necessity for survival and sustainable development in the region,” UNDP added.
