CDC begins distribution of relief items to victims of Linden freak storm

As some residents of Linden pick up the pieces of the devastation left by a freak storm which blew off roofs and downed trees two days ago, the Civil Defence Commission has started to offer assistanc

In a statement the CDC announced that acting on the guidance of the government, it distributed 30 food and cleaning hampers, and several tarpaulins after conducting a damage assessment of those impacted.

The Ministry of Public Works has also dispatched technical officers to assess and begin works on clearing drains and waterways in the region. The CDC said building supplies will be delivered to the affected residents subsequently so that they may begin to restore their homes and livelihoods.

Some homeowners saw the roofs to their houses completely blown off, while trees fell on the roof of other homes and in one case, a house collapsed on a parked car.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill was in the region yesterday directing officials to begin the relief measures, including the provision of zinc sheets for those who lost their roofs.

The Chairman of Region 10, Deron Adams was also on the ground assessing the damage, as he pressed the Government to offer more assistance to the affected residents.

Mr. Adams in a statement said the Regional Administration has been proactive in its approach to lend assistance to the affected residents. He said the flooding situation in the bauxite town is also a major issue that needs urgent attention by the Central Government.

“We call on these agencies to stop this masquerade of seeming to want to help our residents, and to visit Linden and engage us in a multi sectoral way to see what assistance could be brought to bear to help our residences, based on the plans and measures we have provided for their consideration and action”, Chairman Adams said.

During a visit to the damaged homes of residents, the Regional Chairman called on the Government to do more than officer “capped” relief and support. He said a proper assessment needs to be done and the affected residents be given full support to build back their lives following the storm.

“This is unfortunate, but we have to give thanks for life, because it could have been worse and lives could have been lost”, the Chairman said.

The Opposition PNC Reform, which holds the majority on both the Region 10 Democratic Council and the Mayor and Town Council, has announced that it has dispatched an assessment team to the town, in wake of the storm and the flooding.