A locally-led response means putting people in the community – and our local partners – in the front. We must prioritise strengthening their capacity to meet their needs. As soon as Hurricane Matthew hit, ActionAid staff went to the field and talked to groups of people in the shelters, as well as observing the situation first-hand. They organised focus groups and meetings to ask people – “What are your priorities?” After that, we set up Communal Committees that met every month.
