TNN News had the opportunity to speak with Kimberly Bentley, Director of Field Operations for North America and the Caribbean at Global Empowerment Mission.
The organization is dedicated to responding to crises worldwide, whether caused by natural disasters or man-made events, by assessing damage and determining where aid is most needed. Kimberly shared insights into the mission’s work, explaining how they mobilize quickly to bring relief to affected areas.
Speaking with Kimberly Bentley. Kimberly, what brings you to Bermuda?
“Whenever a disaster strikes, whether it’s man-made or natural, our organization hits the ground running and helps in whatever way we can. So whether that’s bringing awareness or bringing aid, we want to be here first and foremost to show the world and donors how they can help pitch in and support the relief effort.”
TNN News: You mentioned one hat you wear at Storm Chasers. Tell me about the different hats that you wear.
“Oh, depending on the situation or the country, the hat can change. Sometimes we get to areas where others can’t, and people want to know what’s happening. When there’s no power or Wi-Fi cell signal, people want to see what’s going on in the various islands. We provide that information to the rest of the world or to our donors to ensure they know what’s happening.”
TNN News: You’ve been here on the ground in Bermuda after the Cat 1 hurricane passed through less than 36 hours ago. Tell us your thoughts on what you’ve seen.
“I was one of the first people here on the ground as soon as the airport opened. People were very curious as to what was happening. I was pleasantly surprised to have no news, which is good news in this case, because the infrastructure was very resilient. The people here are positive and optimistic, and it’s not their first rodeo. They’ve seen this before, and they take the silver linings out of these clouds. They’re prepared and resilient, and going forward, you can tell they’ve got an optimistic outlook. Our only challenge is power.”
Did you expect anything like that?
“You expect the absolute worst. I was tracking Hurricane Ernesto as it moved through the Caribbean and then traveled upwards. When you see it barreling towards Bermuda and you don’t have a lot of power sources, you assume the worst and hope for the best. I’m very pleasantly surprised.”
TNN News: This is considered the beginning of our hurricane season. We’ve been told we might face some 20 main storms. We’re on our fifth right now. Do you think you’ll be back?
“I love the island, but I hope it’s not under these circumstances. We saw Ernesto coming out of the gate strong, and we know that the season is just beginning, especially in Bermuda. So, the fifth storm, you know it’s going to be a heavy season, but I’ll always be here if need be.”
One last thing: We prepare heavily and very well in Bermuda.
“It’s better to be proactive than reactive. If you can get ahead of the storm and brace for it, that’s the best way to go. People don’t plan to fail—they fail to plan.”
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