Aid is handed out to residents after Hurricane Irma. (Photo: Freeman Rogers)

After Hurricane Irma, many residents complained that they struggled to obtain aid such as food, water and building supplies.

Now such claims will be investigated.

Aid is handed out to residents after Hurricane Irma. (Photo: Freeman Rogers)
A Grenada police officer with expertise in disaster response will audit the processes used to distribute aid following hurricanes Irma and Maria, government announced Friday.

Superintendent Sylvan McIntyre, head of the Community Relations Department and disaster coordinator for the Royal Grenada Police Force, will visit the territory over the next two weeks to conduct an audit financed by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, according to Government Information Services.

Mr. McIntyre, a former national disaster coordinator in Grenada, has worked with CDEMA for more than 15 years and is a member of the organisation’s Regional Response Team and Regional Needs Assessment Team.

“It is important that the BVI fully document the steps taken in its relief distribution programmes launched following the impacts from three unprecedented events,” Mr. McIntyre said. “A significant amount of aid was provided and must be accounted for. The audit being applied is intended to fully document the steps taken and to provide recommendations on how the process can be improved to ensure effective delivery to the intended beneficiaries for future.”

After the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, tons of aid was provided to residents through various mechanisms and organisations. Mr. McIntyre said the audit process will examine the source of the aid, the process for delivery, the distribution centres, how the aid ultimately reached communities, and how effective it was in addressing needs.

“In this regard, we will examine how the needs were identified; the pledges made; the relationship with local, regional and international organisations in addressing the needs of the impacted communities; systems in place for tracking the receipt, storage, delivery and distribution of aid; and how the government prioritised the aid distribution,” the auditor explained.

The audit methodology will include a survey tool, focus group discussions, interviews and a documentation review, according to GIS.

A full report is to be presented to Cabinet with findings, recommendations and lessons learned.

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