Abstract

In the times of natural disasters, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are usually the first to respond and remain the longest after the occurrence of natural disasters. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan created extensive damage in the Caribbean with total damages in Grenada estimated at US$900 million, more than twice the country's GDP (OECS 2004). This massive level of damages required a full hand on deck to make rapid progress at rehabilitation. The main local NGOs (Grenada Community Development Agency, GRENCODA and Agency for Rural Transformation, ART) were instrumental in providing support to the government and international agencies in the implementation of projects aimed at the post hurricane recovery. This was a new experience for these NGOs. This paper reports on the experiences and lessons learnt by these NGOs in the implementation of community based public sector projects. Notwithstanding the success of the NGOs in their interventions in the Grenada disaster, greater success may have been achievable as financial dependency, obstruction by government, small staff, low wages, staff turnover and loose project management processes may have combined to contribute to reduce project success.

Key words: NGO performance, Grenada, UWI, Trinidad.