CDC rushes in to offer help to flood affected Region 8 communities

A team from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was earlier today, dispatched to the flood-affected communities of Kaibarupai, Sand Hill, Chenapou and Waipa in, Region Eight.

This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon who has responsibility for the CDC and the coordination of disaster response. He was at the time updating the media at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon noted that he was briefed on the situation by the CDC which reported that over 1000 residents have been affected by the flood waters. The Minister said that in some communities, the water is 15 feet high and those residents are making requests for food and clothing.

However, the Minister pointed out that the team dispatched will have, “a firsthand look and do a proper assessment as to what the true situation is,” adding that “they have already started taking steps to get relief to those persons who are there.”

Residents are also receiving support from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) which has a presence in the community, assessing the situation to provide relief. However, the Minister explained that, “it is important to note that some of these communities are in valleys, and therefore, when the rains come down heavily, the waters come down from the mountain and they flood these villages.”

The Minister stated that, “some of these flood waters you have just to wait until they recede, there is very little that you can do except to provide for the comfort of the residents who are affected by it and that is what we are doing.”

Additionally, Minister Harmon said that President David Granger was informed of the situation and, “has given certain directions to the CDC, and to the regional administration for actions to be taken, and the support which the government is going to give to the residents who are affected by the flooding.”

Word from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Principal Regional Development Officer (RRDO), Anil Roberts is that the Ministry is currently gathering information from persons in the communities on what is going on and what can be done to help the residents.

All relevant information according to Roberts has been forwarded to both Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe. Additionally, Roberts pointed out that the Ministry is in contact with the CDC. (GINA)