As the Regional Disaster Risk Management strategy in Kwakwani remains in effect, acting Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig related that relief materials, including food and medical supplies, are expected to reach the affected area today. He, however, noted that the water has begun to recede.
The assessment team that visited the area late last week with acting CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig
Guyana Times learnt that the CDC has dispatched millions of dollars in food relief and cleaning agents to the area. “We should be collecting all the food stuff tomorrow [Monday] and start to transport to Kwakwani to the affected households,” the acting Head stressed.
He had earlier explained that a multiagency approach involving the Public Health Ministry, Hydrometeorological Service, and CDC volunteers was crafted to ascertain the overall needs of the affected residents, who, in some cases, were under six to seven feet of water. Similarly to Lethem and its surrounding areas, food security in Kwakwani is also being threatened since farms are inundated.
The major assessment was carried out to see the impact of last week’s flooding, particularly in Lamp Island and the Waterfront area of Kwakwani. Speaking on the preliminary reports coming out of that assessment, Craig told this publication that residents had already adjusted their building patterns in preparation for periodic flooding.
He noted that some even constructed secondary houses which were above the height of the primary houses which are submerged.
“It is something that happens every year and people have built their homes to adapt to the situation. The houses are built on stilts and persons have chosen to remain in their homes. Those who have been affected have moved to relatives already,” he told this newspaper.
He cautioned that this did not take away from the fact that the affected residents would have needs that must be catered for such as health and food.
“We need to continually monitor the water level, persons need to continue to ensure the water they drink is safe and the assessment will come from the region to decide where resources will be focused on and how much will be required,” he pointed out recently.
About 300 households have been affected by the present flood. Those affected are from the Kwakwani Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroraima and Ginger Island areas.
Residents in recent days complained of household appliances and belongings being damaged due to the flooding, which they said were caused by the inclement weather pattern coupled with overtopping of the Berbice River.
Regional Chairman Renis Morian has said there was need to understand the backdrop against which the flooding was taking place, as he pointed out that due to increased rainfall, the water level in the river was high. He said those affected were mainly from low-lying areas. He warned that should persons continue to live in such areas, they would experience flooding. Residents are utilising boats as the primary mode of transportation, since most of the roads are inundated. However, Craig said Sunday that some of the roads leading into the area can be used. (Shemuel Fanfair)
