Hurricane ravaged victims now have the help some of them having been waiting for, but it will not last long.
The government has signed an exigency order, giving the group three months to apply for several items.
The exigency order took effect November 15. It ends on February 15.
Under the order, residents in Abaco, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma and the Cays, Grand Bahama and Long Island can apply for building materials, electrical fixtures and materials, plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture, fixture, furnishings and appliances, freezers and heaters, materials for clean-up or repairs to property including fences, fishing boats, gear, parts and apparatus, farming equipment and utensils and motor vehicle.
Applications must either ben certified by the director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) or any of his “duly appointed agents.”
Residents can also apply for duty free relief certified by the appropriate official.
However, this must be done prior to any exemption being granted.
The government has warned that where there is any abuse or misuse, the goods may be seized and disposed of.
Hurricane Sandy lashed The Bahamas on October 26, leaving in its wake flooding, beach erosion, damaged homes and destroyed crops.
It has also been blamed for the death of dozens of people across The Caribbean.
Two of those deaths were in The Bahamas.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season ends November 30.