Govt provides relief to storm-hit West Berbice residents
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with the residents of West Berbice who were affected by the high winds
The Government through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Friday distributed building materials to 13 households that were impacted by severe high winds last week on the West Coast of Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Affected residents were given quantities of zinc sheets, nails, screws and lumber to aid in their restoration of normalcy.
On Monday, a rainstorm accompanied by lightning and thunder left several homes within Union, Trafalgar and Bel Air with damaged roofs, broken pillars and posts, and significant flood impacts.
Some residents had also reported instances of damaged crops and the death of livestock when their pens were blown down.
In an initial display of assistance, the CDC team had distributed tarpaulins to create temporary shelters and protect household items of the affected residents.
To bolster the Government’s response to this incident, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo met with the residents and assured them of plans to continue discussions on further assistance and future development plans in the following week.
“When I reach with the 13 families in Georgetown, they will receive more help and we will also talk about the sporting facilities across the whole region,” Jagdeo said.
He also noted that residents of Trafalgar, popularly known as Number 28 Village, will soon see roads within their community being rehabilitated, and new ones being constructed.
“This year we will be doing 100 roads in this region, just like every year, so before you know it all, the roads will be done. We are doing concrete roads in some areas and so persons from that area will get the work,” Jagdeo said.
During this visit, the Vice President was accompanied by Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and CDC Director General Nazrul Hussain.
The CDC continues to render aid to residents and communities that are impacted by hazards and disasters, and persons are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) at 600-7500 or 226-1114.
