The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tom Babington:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green traveled to The Bahamas on September 8 to oversee the United States' humanitarian operations in The Bahamas in response to Hurricane Dorian, the strongest hurricane ever to hit the country. Administrator Green traveled to Abaco, where he met with members of USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) working on search and rescue and other humanitarian response operations with Bahamian authorities. Administrator Green also participated in aerial assessments over Abaco and Grand Bahama to survey the damage caused by the devastating storm.

USAID's DART is on the ground in The Bahamas to coordinate the U.S. Government's response to Hurricane Dorian, at the request of the Government of The Bahamas. The DART is working with humanitarian partners and the Government of The Bahamas to provide critical aid - including food, water, hygiene, and shelter assistance - to people affected by Hurricane Dorian. They are working closely with other U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard, both of which are providing life-saving support in cooperation with their Bahamian partners.

After surveying the affected areas, Administrator Green and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Stephanie Bowers met with Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis in Nassau. The Bahamian Government was also represented by the Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd, Acting Ministry of Transport and Local Government Permanent Secretary Antoinette Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit Viana Gardiner, and the Prime Minister's Director of Communications Erica Wells-Cox.

In the meeting, the Administrator reiterated the United States' support for the Government of The Bahamas during this critical time. Specifically, Administrator Green discussed how the United States is working with the Government of The Bahamas' National Emergency Management Authority, to fully leverage all partners and capabilities available and deliver emergency supplies to address immediate needs. Administrator Green also introduced Tim Callaghan, a veteran of several humanitarian responses, as the new leader of the DART.

Finally, the Administrator met with several humanitarian partners to discuss improvements in the broader humanitarian response. He was also briefed on the important relief work led by other international donors, including Caribbean partners, the United Kingdom, and Canada.