NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) Executive Director Matt Aubry is urging the business community, government, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen collaboration and crisis response systems, citing lessons learned from the Food Distribution Task Force, COVID-19, and Hurricane Dorian.
“At this point, I think what really matters is that we take the time to learn from what worked and what didn’t during the Food Distribution Task Force and from the incredible efforts of local nonprofits who responded to the needs during COVID, as well as those many NPOs who were critical during the Hurricane Dorian response,” Aubry said. “Those experiences showed just how much Bahamians can accomplish when community groups and volunteers pull together under pressure.”
A recently released Auditor General’s report on the National Food Distribution Programme (NFDP) highlighted the effectiveness of the Food Distribution Task Force, praising it for ensuring that “no one went hungry” during the COVID-19 pandemic and confirming that all government funds were properly accounted for.
The NFDTF distributed more than $50 million in food vouchers and parcels between 2020 and 2021, supported by NGOs, volunteers, and community organizations across The Bahamas. The Auditor General concluded that the program successfully fulfilled its mandate despite logistical challenges, demonstrating the vital role of strong partnerships in crisis response.
Aubry emphasized that nonprofits often serve as the first line of support for communities in crisis, bridging gaps that government or private sectors cannot always address. “Hopefully, this moment also helps more people see the hard, often unseen work that these groups are doing every day in our communities, during a crisis and long after,” he said.
He stressed the urgency of proactive planning and coordination: “We can’t afford to wait to connect the dots. The stronger the links and systems of response between NPOs, communities, and government before a crisis hits, the better we’ll be able to protect and support each other when it does.”
