Ministry of Social Protection, Region 5 lend support to WCB fire victims

DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 03, 2018

The Ministry of Social Protection and the administration of Region Five, Mahaica/Berbice has, over the past 48hours, provided humanitarian support to the West Coast Berbice family of thirteen that lost their home to fire on Wednesday last.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally at Kingsley on Friday, with the Long family

Fire victim Shelly Long receives a receipt for building materials donated by the Ministry of Social Protection and People’s National Congress-Reform Region Five official, Carol Nurse [right]

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally yesterday handed over mattresses, stoves, pots and pans, clothing, furniture and other household necessities. The ministry had sent food items to the victims on Thursday – 24hours after the disaster.

During her stop at Kingsley, yesterday, Minister Ally extended sympathy to the victims on behalf of her ministry as well as President David Granger. The minister also handed over the sum of $500,000 to a local lumber dealer; this will allow the victims to purchase building construction materials. She assured the victims that they could expect continued assistance this weekend in the form of sand, stone, cement and hollow blocks.

The Regional Administration of Region 5 also assisted with a number of construction materials. Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison disclosed that the building materials donated would help the victims substantially in their efforts to build another home.

Owner of the ravaged building, Shellon Long said yesterday that the rally behind her and her family by the ministry and the Regional Administration had been a source of considerable relief. She said that life for herself, husband and their children are returning to some normalcy.

The fire at the wooden dwelling house at Kingsley occurred around 10:00hrs on Wednesday, August 1.

Story and Images: Clifford Stanley