In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, which brutalized The Bahamas last week, questions have arisen about the legitimacy of one of the charitable organizations seeking to raise money for relief. That organization has been vindicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund is a U.S. 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization founded to help The Bahamas recover from Hurricane Joaquin. The group is fundraising through the website here: www.thebahamashurricanerestorationfund.org and also on Crowdrise: https://www.crowdrise.com/restore-bahamas2/fundraiser/restorebahamas

The organization is chaired by Elizabeth "Betsy" Dingman, and the board also features the leadership of Deltec Bank, a Bahamian private bank.

Gevon Moss, a member of the board of advisors, said this group has a track record in The Bahamas.

"Post Joaquin they brought quite a bit of aid to Crooked Island and Acklins, and their focus was to go in, restore buildings that could be used as hurricane centers," he said, citing the ACM Hall in Cabbage Hill, Crooked Island.

"We've created a documentary. People can find it online.

Moss said he had been made aware of the questions about the legitimacy of the organization.

"Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement about the organization," he said.

And in fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has advised persons in the United States who wish to make tax-exempt contributions towards the relief and restoration of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in The Bahamas that they can do so by making a check payable to the Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund or an online payment, the address for which can be found at https://www.thebahamashurricanerestorationfund.org.

K. Quincy Parker, Guardian Business Editor

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian