Disaster preparedness must be a national priority – Corbin

Mar 18, 2011 News

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Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin has stated that the recent spate of natural disasters should urge the current administration to place disaster preparedness as a matter of national priority.
Corbin added that this country’s experience of adverse effects of torrential rains should also be used as a factor for the issue to be dealt with forthwith.
“The experiences of Guyanese during the massive floods of 2005 demonstrate that we have not yet developed the capacity to deal with such disasters.”
Corbin pointed to the fact that it was fortuitous that the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Dam was not seriously breached at that time. He added that it is still frightening to contemplate how, with inadequate facilities, evacuation of citizens from the below sea level coastline would have been accomplished.
“That danger still, however, exists as the persistent rainfall over the past two weeks has demonstrated.”
Corbin further pointed out that after only two weeks of rain, several villages along the coast as well as those along the banks of our main rivers are inundated.
“Rice, ground provision and green vegetable farmers have suffered severe losses, while many villages have been under water, thus curtailing normal economic activity. The residents who are suffering these adverse effects are none the wiser of any principled approach to the assistance being offered by the PPP/C Administration, leading to the conclusion that what should be humanitarian efforts and national responsibility are political interventions.”
Corbin noted that given all this, it is therefore appropriate that the PNCR urges the PPP/C Administration treat as a matter of national priority the effective and efficient organisation of the Civil Defence Commission.
“Nothing can be more unsatisfactory than the lack of public information about standard operational procedures, should any serious eventuality occur, such as, the flooding of major sections of the coast as a result of any major breach of our sea and river defences coupled with a major breach on the conservancy dam.”
Corbin questioned what the evacuation plans are; where the equipment and facilities are to facilitate the execution of any plan at all; where are citizens to assemble in the various villages in such eventualities and where the temporary housing facilities are after evacuation.
“Unless these questions can be answered positively and the answers are known to citizens, the likely result is the creation of national panic and pandemonium that can lead to escalation of the effects of a disaster.”
He pointed out that in 2005, despite the fact that it took days for flood water levels to rise in the various villages, it took weeks before there was “some limited availability of boats to distribute the politicised flood relief supplies”. He noted that the situation might have been more tragic if, instead of taking flood relief to citizens, there was the necessity to move citizens away from the coast.
“Another significant phenomenon was the absence of an organisational plan for the distribution of those supplies, leading to the effort being managed by politicians, led by the President, who used the opportunity of people’s misfortunes for partisan politics, rather than engage in an objective and sincere humanitarian effort.”
The Opposition Leader further pointed out that these past experiences illustrate that there remains an urgent need, not only for a disaster preparedness plan, but for the details of that plan to be well known to citizens to avoid any panic during emergencies.
He added that it would appear that despite the expressed international concern for global warning, climate change and the consequences, the administration is content in leaving this important issue in disarray to create the conditions for political manipulation during emergencies, thus enabling the politicisation of flood relief and compensation.
“The Champion of the Earth appears more concerned with an international reputation and the use of the LCDS to extract money for political advantage, rather than championing the cause of suffering Guyanese.”
The PNCR Leader further emphasised that citizens should be assured that their welfare is of paramount concern.
And the party used the opportunity to express condolences to the people of Japan for their recent disaster.
PNCR member Cammie Ramsaroop acknowledged the fact that the recent earthquake, tsunami and related consequences in Japan have brought unexpected hardship and suffering to the citizens of that country.
“The explosions at their nuclear electricity plants and the compulsory evacuation of thousands out of fear that radioactivity from uranium may result in further suffering has also caused global concerns.”
Ramsaroop opined that it is a time for serious reflection by all nations of the world about their preparedness for dealing with such disasters.
He added that the people of Japan have been prepared over the years for such eventualities, but it is doubtful if they ever contemplated the scale of recent events.
Ramsaroop reiterated the fact that it is in these circumstances, the people of Guyana need to empathize with them.
“Our citizens have been led to believe that our unique situation renders us free from the earthquake and hurricane belts.”
He noted that while Guyana may be in no position to make any technical or financial contribution to assist in the present circumstances, the country’s citizens owe a humanitarian duty to extend solidarity with the Government and people of that country as they struggle to mitigate the effects of the staggering disaster.
“The People’s National Congress Reform, therefore, wishes to record its deep sense of loss and extend condolences to all the families of Japan who have suffered losses in the recent earthquake and tsunami equally as solidarity is extended to the people and Government of that country as they struggle to overcome the consequences of this disaster, including a possible nuclear meltdown.”

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