TT Red Cross Society Nears Completion of Financial Audits, Seeks To Resume Gov't Subvention

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) says it’s close to completing the last three years of financial audits and expects to be fully compliant by the end of the year for their Government subvention to be resumed. This, from Crisis Management Coordinator of the TTRCS, Stephan Kishore. He was responding to recent reports which allege that the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services cut their subvention due to media reports which shared anonymous statements by employees who claimed that their work environment was “toxic.” He explained that funding was paused due to delays in submitting audited financial statements, stemming from a backlog inherited by the current governing Board. "We want to make sure that we're able to really show our donors you know how we spend their money and one of the ways to do that is through audited financial statements. To be quite fair and transparent, we have had several years of not having audits and this stemmed from previous governing Boards not seeing that as a priority and not being able to accomplish this so in 2018, when we had this current Board, they saw that as a major gap and a major priority." Mr. Kishore said there is a backlog of nearly 10 years without audited statements, and the team has been working tirelessly to resolve it. "We're trying our best to ensure that these statements are provided and to be quite clear and transparent again, the last three years' audited statements are at our auditors and it is possible or very possible that by the end of the year these audited statements will be presented to the Ministry so we can go back into compliance with the Ministry requirements." He said all the other compliance requirements in terms of monthly reports, financial forecasts, and reporting are up to standard with the Ministry. Mr. Kishore admitted that there have been instances of salary payments being late, but he emphasised that all employees are promptly informed. "The fact is that yes, sometimes one day late, two days late but we've been able to ensure that communication is sent to persons so it's not a surprise, well in advance that of course salaries may be late." He said throughout the TTRCS' challenges like the pandemic, emergencies, and other economic situations, they have never had to cut salaries. "Persons didn't go without a month without salary so salaries are sometimes late, that is a fact, but the fact is that everybody has been paid and it never, ever goes into the following month." Despite the recent challenges, Mr. Kishore remains confident in the organisation’s mission and dedication to transparent operations.