Second hurricane-affected family arrives in Guyana
DPI, Guyana, Monday, September 23, 2019
Minister of Citizenship, Hon. Winston Felix, on the evening of September 22, welcomed the second family, from the hurricane-devastated Bahamas, back to their homeland – Guyana
The Cooper family – Vanessa Taite, her reputed husband Stevie Cooper Snr. and their three children Stevie Cooper Jnr., Steven Cooper and Steve Cooper – arrived at approximately at 22:00hurs, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The family resided in Abaco, Bahamas.
Minister Felix said the Coopers are just one of many families and individuals who have indicated desire to return to Guyana. The minister said following an interview with the Coopers, all necessary procedures regarding documentation will be dealt with.
“The husband is a Bahamian and the children are born to a Guyanese mother, so we would have to assist them through the process of regularisation,” Minister Felix explained.
The Citizenship Minister reiterated that the government is prepared to welcome and assist all Guyanese, who are victims of the recent Hurricane Dorian. He also disclosed that two persons are scheduled to arrive next Sunday (September 29).
Speaking with reporters, Vanessa Taite described her experience as “horrible.” Holding her three-month-old baby in her arms, Taite recalled: “It is not something anyone would want to have to live through. Speaking about it is something different but actually going through it, it was very scary. Bahamian families died; the entire roof of our house came off. So, it’s like going through a real scary movie.”
On September 15, the Grimmond family was the first to arrive home, following the devastating ordeal and was greeted by Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Citizenship, Hon. Winston Felix and Director-General (DG) of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig.
Director-General (DG) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig had said that following the devastating effects of Hurricane Dorian, the commission has activated its response mechanism and is in contact with over one hundred Guyanese living in the Bahamas who were affected.
The government has commenced preparation for the two Guyanese, expected on September 29.