Govt. spends over $8M for Region Eight flood relief

May 24, 2017 News

…56 houses washed away, 266 farms destroyed

The government has already released over $8M to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to reach out to the flood affected residents of Region Eight and Seven. Also, the government is set to spend millions more in order to rebuild the houses

Deputy Director of CDC, Major Kester Craig

that have been washed away and to restore farm lands that have been destroyed.
Yesterday, Deputy Director of CDC, Major Kester Craig, hosted a press conference at the agency’s Thomas Land location. He told the media that $7.9M was calculated to have been spent up to yesterday morning. Just over $2M of that sum accounted for air transportation to the Regions. However, Craig said that more flights were to be made yesterday. Cost for those flights will easily take the money spent so far over the $8M mark.
The money quoted by Craig only accounted for what Government spent out of pocket. Monies and items donated were not included in that sum.
Craig indicated that 56 houses have been washed away with Waipa recording the highest number of houses destroyed—24. Craig said that 3,274 residents have been affected and 266 farms have been destroyed.
Craig reported that the health post at Kaibarupai was flooded; the school at Itabac has shifted and is unstable; the school at Kanapang is being used as temporary shelter but the kitchen at that school has been damaged.
While the waters have receded from the villages, help is still needed.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, recently visited the villages of Itabac and Kanapang in the Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) area where he assured the residents that the Government will use every resource at its disposal to restore normalcy in the communities.
He said that support will be given for the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of homes.
“We are going to make a special effort to look at the houses that have been washed away. We will bring items for you that you may need for now and I will ask some of the CDC volunteers and the [Guyana Defence Force] GDF to come and assist in rebuilding efforts,” he said.
Harmon continued, “The farms that have been destroyed, this is your livelihood and we have to pay attention to it as the Government. I will ask the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to send a representative and to see what assistance we can give to you to ensure that you can have your livelihood back. We will make an assessment and assist you,” he said.
There have been no reports of increases in water-borne and other flood-related illnesses in any of the flood affected communities in Region Eight.
The Minister during his visit, was accompanied by Craig and other government officials. (Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell)

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