The Bahamas is still in emergency response phase after Hurricane Matthew. The Category 4 storm caused significant damage to New Providence, Andros, Grand Bahama and the Berry Islands. Homes were destroyed; infrastructure was damaged or destroyed. Electricity remains out to thousands of Bahamians in our two largest population centers, New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Emergency response officials are on hard-hit islands trying to lessen the burden faced by those who do not know where they will stay or how they will find their next meal.

Jamal and Raquel Thompson's home was destroyed in West End, Grand Bahama.

"This used to be her parents' home," Jamal said of his wife. "She grew up here with her brothers. When we got married, we didn't have a place to say and so we moved here.

"She loved this house as old as it is. She hasn't stopped crying."

He said they have been living in a small hotel while they try to figure out their next move. Raquel is pregnant.

In Lowe Sound, Andros the situation is desperate too. Ednie Grant, who lost most of his possessions, hung his head as he spoke to reporters.

"We don't have anything to eat," he said, speaking softly to prevent his three daughters from hearing the fear in his voice.

"There is a lady around the corner who has a bakery. She sent rolls for us and some grits too. But we don't have any money. I was already struggling and this made it worse.

"I don't know how we are going to recover from this. And I don't want to scare them, so I'm not even telling them how bad things are."

It is important for those of us who are doing well to understand what Bahamians face, here and now. These stories are common on the worst-hit islands. That is why it was strange that in such a crisis Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis decided to make a public donation to Junkanoo.

Minnis gave, of his own money, $7,000 to Shell Saxons Superstars and $2,000 to the Valley Boys on Tuesday during a press conference at his office on Parliament Street.

Junkanoo is our premiere cultural festival and it is scheduled to take place in two and a half months. Many of the costumes are built in wooden shacks. Matthew damaged and destroyed many shacks and costumes in New Providence.

Keith Mason Jr., leader of the Music Makers Junkanoo group, for example, estimated yesterday the group suffered around $22,000 in damage.

While it is commendable that Minnis, a Junkanooer, is supporting Bahamian culture, he has seen the devastation of the storm, having traveled to the worst impacted areas with the prime minister.

We would think it wiser and more meaningful at this time to give to emergency relief efforts that are focused on food and shelter for desperate people. Junkanoo can wait.

His call for Prime Minister Perry Christie to make a similar Junkanoo donation was delusional. Christie needs to focus on stabilizing a crisis. He then needs to focus on restoration. He then needs to focus on policies that help get this economy working again.

Junkanoo comes very, very far down the list of importance right now.

The Free National Movement (FNM) has given out aid. The party is being socially responsible. It is just so strange that its leader would call for the media to take pictures of him giving a donation to Junkanoo in the midst of disaster.

Minnis has a chance to be prime minister. Bahamians are watching to determine if he has the judgment and discretion to lead. This public donation choice at this time doesn't bolster his case.
The FNM leader seems out of touch.

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