#Guyana, October 30, 2019 – Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally visited and distributed several of items to residents of flood-affected Region 5 communities – Glaziers Lust, Rebecca Lust and Prospect in High Dam, on Wednesday.
During an interaction with
the residents, Minister Ally noted that the government is very concerned with
the situation, and as such, has ramped up its efforts to assist the residents.
The minister assured the
residents that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other agencies, including
the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Agriculture, will continue to
assess the situation and ascertain what further assistance can be provided so
their lives can get back to normalcy.
“We
will do whatever is necessary to ensure that your lives are returned to normality.
Stay put, have faith, and all is going to be well,” she encouraged the
residents.
The residents, most of whom
are farmers, were pleased with the support provided by the administration
during this critical time.
Mohammed Balgobin, a young
rice farmer of Glaziers Lust, explained that the sea defence in his area was
breached due to the force of the water during the spring tide. After reaching
out to the Ministry of Agriculture, two excavators were immediately deployed to
conduct emergency works.
“What happened is that they
started to build the dam before the high tide, but because of the rushing of
the water the works could not be completed and of course you know there are
other areas who need this assistance also,” Balgobin explained.
He is also appreciative from
the regional administration, the CDC and the Social Protection Ministry for the
sanitation supplies and food items which were much-needed.
“Thanks to the ministry for
this help, we appreciate it. We also welcome the government in this area and
are thankful for all the support,” said Annette Balgobin, also of Glaziers
Lust.
She is optimistic the
administration will continue to provide aid to the residents, especially the
farmers.
Kesh, a welder of Rebecca
Lust, said that even though he took all the necessary precautions, he was not
prepared for this magnitude of water. Nevertheless, he noted that the issue is
one of natural disaster and is, therefore, grateful for the continued support
the community has been receiving.
Since the last period of
spring tide that ended October 2, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has
spearheaded emergency works to arrest the breaches in the Dantzig to Fairfield
area.
Additionally, through
multiple ministries and agencies, the government has issued advisories and
warning to residents along the coastal belt of Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The
Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has distributed sandbags before the forecasted
spring tide. It has also been assessing the affected communities and
distributing necessary assistance, to flood-affected communities, while
continuing to monitor the situation at hand.
SOURCE: GUYANA DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, Story by Synieka Thorne