Govt delivers help to flood victims
– Min. of State spearheaded delivering effort in Reg. 3 today
– govt stands committed to assisting affected homes
– every community to receive help
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, along with officials from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), on Tuesday, returned to deliver assistance to residents, who were affected from the recent floodwaters, in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region.
The support follows a thorough investigation and needs assessment by the same team on Monday. The recipients also received a month’s supply of food items.
“After our visit yesterday, we had promised some of the residents that we will return and deliver food hampers to assist them because at the moment some of their food items were destroyed,” the State Minister explained while speaking onsite with the Department of Public Information (DPI).
According to Minister Hastings-Williams, the assessment thus far, indicates that there is a total of 85 families, whose homes were affected by the recent flooding due to the spring tide. She noted that while the team could not visit every household, a team is working ceaselessly, evaluating various communities in the region.
“I have visited here [Zeelugt], Cornelia Ida and Anna Catherina and we will continue to visit other homes. We also understood that they are some families who are also affected in Den Amstel… we will do our assessment there and render some assistance,” Minister Hastings-Williams added.
A recipient, Kumar Persaud said “we are glad for the donation because I am a fisherman and the water is rough and we can’t get to work right now. So, we are thankful for the help and the government’s visit.”
Another resident, Pragald Ramkisoon said, “We want to say thanks for the hamper because the little disaster shook us up and threw us out of line. It’s about four days we were under water.”
Additionally, on Monday, the team had mobilised drinking water and several cleaning supplies which were delivered to families in those identified areas.
Meanwhile, after completing her task at Zeelugt, the State Minister journeyed to Anna Catherina where she met the Nabbi family. According to Fareeda Nabbi, over 300 chicks were lost due to the floodwaters. Nabbi painfully recalled waking up Saturday morning to such the terrible scene, However, she was relieved when the minister presented her with two bags of chicken feed.
“Oh gosh, this is a great help what the minister did. Up till now, I didn’t get to buy feed. My husband is a pensioner. So, with the set of chickens I have now, they will get to eat. This is a great help,” Nabbi reiterated happily.
As promised, Minister Hastings-Williams visited homes over in the community of Den Amstel and had a first-hand look, she noted the complaints and assured that timely relief will be made.