Disaster Risk Management Authority Appoints First Two Youth Ambassadors

Nassau, The Bahamas – Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Risk Management, the Hon. Leon Lundy, said the selection and appointment of the Disaster Risk Management Authority’s (DRM Authority) first two Disaster Risk Reduction Youth Ambassadors will help to “chart a bold new course in disaster risk reduction.”

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Youth Ambassador Gabryel Saunders.

“May this moment mark the beginning of a lasting legacy– one where youth leadership in disaster risk management becomes a driving force for change,” Minister Lundy told the two Youth Ambassadors.

“Together, we will rise, stronger, more prepared, and more resilient than ever before. Thank you for your courage, your vision and your commitment to serve. You have made us incredibly proud, and we stand with you as you embark on this noble journey to strengthen and safeguard our beloved nation.”

Introduction of the Youth Ambassadors

Minister Lundy said the appointment of the two Youth Ambassadors – Kianna Rolle of St. Andrew’s Anglican School (Exuma), and Gabryel Saunders of Aquinas College (Nassau) — in addition to the establishment of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Youth Ambassador Programme, answers the call for greater youth involvement in disaster risk management.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Youth Ambassador Kianna Rolle.

Minister Lundy’s Remarks

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you both. Your speeches were compelling, your passion undeniable, and your commitment to our nation inspiring. You have demonstrated not only an understanding of the challenges we face, but also the courage to confront them with conviction and purpose.

“Gabryel, you reminded us that climate change is not a distant threat – it is a reality, demanding urgent action. Our beautiful islands stand on the frontlines of rising sea levels and increasingly severe hurricanes.

“Hurricane Dorian was a stark reminder that we cannot afford complacency.

“You spoke of resilience not merely as the ability to endure hardship, but as the ability to organize and adapt so that all may thrive.

“That vision is precisely what we must embody as we fulfill our mandate – to protect every person under the Bahamian sun regardless of gender, immigration status, disability, income levels, or island of residency. Your call for an inclusive, community-driven approach to disaster risk management is the kind of forward-thinking leadership our nation needs.

“Kianna, your words about the struggles of our Family Islands – limited resources, slow recovery efforts, and the urgent need for stronger infrastructure resonated deeply with me. As a representative of a Family island, I know these challenges firsthand. And when you highlighted the importance of protecting Andros’ wetlands as a natural safeguard against disasters, you spoke to a cause that is dear to my heart.

“Your commitment to disaster preparedness education and advocacy will serve as a beacon of hope for many and I stand with you in that fight. You have already proven yourself a powerful voice for climate awareness, and I have no doubt that as a DRR Youth Ambassador, you will continue to be a formidable force for change.”

DRM Authority Managing Director’s Charge

DRM Authority Managing Director, Aarone Sargent, in his Charge, told the Youth Ambassadors that: “We stand on the threshold of something truly transformative.”

“Today, we do not simply celebrate your achievements, we charge you with a mission — a mission that is not only an honour, but a profound responsibility. You are representatives of this programme and the embodiment of The Bahamas’ commitment to a safer, stronger and more resilient future.

“You are the first in what we hope will be a long legacy of youth leadership in disaster risk reduction in The Bahamas. The road ahead will not always be easy, but know this, that you are not alone. We the Disaster Risk Management Authority stand behind you. We believe in you, and we are counting on you.”

Mr. Sargent gave seven Charges, among them, the Charge to be a face and representation of the Authority; to use their voices as a force for progress in disaster resilience; to educate their peers on the importance of planning, preparedness, and resilience; to be an example to their peers; to learn as much as they can; to uphold the sanctity of life and the values of equality and human rights, and to be relentless in their advocacy.

“Your work does not stop when the cameras stop rolling, or when the speeches are over, or when your term as Ambassador ends. It continues in every conversation, every school visit, every policy you push forward. Be persistent.

“Be unwavering because resilience is not built in a day, but through the steady work of committed individuals like yourselves. So go forth with pride, with determination, and the knowledge that you are a part of something bigger than yourselves. You carry the baton for a safer, stronger, more resilient Bahamas. Congratulations, and may you serve with distinction. The work begins now.”