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THE FLOODS IN REGION NINE

Jun 08, 2011 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

To those on the coastland who have never experienced the rainy season in Region Nine, the overflowing rivers and flooding that is taking place may seem to be a natural disaster.

And this year’s floods may well constitute a disaster because of the height that the water has risen to in many areas. But anyone familiar with our interior would know that during the rainy season, the savannahs are usually covered with water for a very long time and floods are not unusual at this time.

The people of that area have seen floods before and they know that the water will eventually go down. However, this year the rivers have been unusually high, with the result that areas that previously were considered safe from flooding are now under water. The trend, however, is that in due course the water will recede.

In light of these historic circumstances, the government may be reserved in declaring the area a disaster zone, and perhaps this position is not without some merit. While the affected area is large, the Region itself is the most sparsely populated of all regions, and therefore the number of persons affected is not likely to justify the declaration of a state of emergency, at least not at this stage.

If, however, the situation gets worse, then it may be necessary for a national disaster to be declared. Whatever the future scenario, the government has the financial resources to deal with the situation and to satisfy the immediate needs of the population. Therefore there is no compelling need for international assistance to be sought.

The situation must be monitored, and based on developments, the necessary interventions should be made to ensure that the residents receive support to help them deal with the difficulties that they face. A great many persons are suffering, villages are cut off and as the water gets higher there are fears that larger numbers may be even more affected.

There must, however, not be a mad rush to flood the area with relief supplies or to have a host of non-governmental agencies rushing to the affected villages. What the Region does not need is for the flood to lead to a wave of relief organisations flocking to that area to create further problems for the people. There will also be no need for any disaster relief telethon, since the government has the resources to deal with the situation. With ministers already visiting the area, the situation is going to be closely monitored and the necessary help provided.

The road to Lethem should be officially closed. It is impassable at many points and allowing heavy trucks to use the road at this time could lead to a deterioration of its already poor surface. Since there are villages along the way, the government may be circumspect to close the road, but the time seems to fast approaching for the road to be temporarily closed to regular traffic until the water recedes.

The government may however feel that closing the road can cut off critical supply lines, and it is certainly something that needs to be considered, but it is doubtful whether the big trucks can get past some areas in which sections of the road have been washed away.

The present situation will prove a good test of the Civil Defence Commission and its ability to first assess the situation, determine the priority areas and ensure a swift response. Whether that body is equipped to deal with the situation on the ground, and so far from its headquarters in the city, or whether there is need to create a hinterland relief committee in the future, will very much be decided by how it passes this test.

The government, of course, can always call on the military to intervene, and here again, the present situation will allow for an assessment of the role of the military to provide these sorts of assistance.

Disaster and humanitarian relief are areas that our military should be playing an increasing role in. Guyana is not in conflict with any of its neighbours, and the military should use this extended period of peace to develop other capabilities that would serve the national interest. Disaster relief and emergency evacuations are just some of the areas of training.

At the end of the present situation, there must be full assessment of what took place, the adequacy of the responses and what future policies need to be put in place to deal with any future occurrence.

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