Following widespread natural disasters that hit the Caribbean and the massive flooding which took Guyana’s interior regions by surprise just months ago, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has indicated that Government has moved to establish disaster relief warehouses in each of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.
This announcement was made while he addressed the gathering at the ceremony held in observation of International Day of Disaster Reduction 2017, when he emphasized the importance of Guyana being prepared to take on the effects of natural disasters in light of the recent devastations that have hit the country. This, he noted, therefore means
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, addressing the gathering at the ceremony in observance of International Day of Disaster Reduction 2017
that Guyana can no longer ignore threats posed by these phenomena.
Even as he applauded the efforts of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in rushing to the aid of the rural communities which were recently affected by flooding, the Minister underlined the need for better systems to be put in place to provide for prompter responses should such circumstances be repeated.
“In the event that our roads become cut off, we will be able to have in the region themselves the heavy equipment and materials that are necessary to ensure that life and living can be sustained. That’s a very important feature, and we have taken it seriously,” Harmon disclosed.
This matter of having systems in place is especially important, given that the CDC is at the moment mainly stationed in Georgetown and had, in the past, been greatly delayed in its disaster relief and rescue efforts in outlying regions.
Stemming from that concern, the Government has already commenced preparing for the commissioning of a first response property bond in Region Nine.
“We have already started work in some regions, in particular Region 9. At Lethem, land has been allocated, and we’ve got a plan drawn for the building; and during the course of 2018, the resources will be provided for us to complete that structure,” he outlined.
Expanding on the topic, Harmon said, “In all of the other regions, where the CDC has already started training, started prepositioning items, it basically gives us a heads up; it gives us a first jump in the event that there is a disaster that takes place in any one of the communities.”
Mere months ago, communities in Regions Seven and Eight were severely affected by flooding, and were left waiting days for rescue and relief, given that CDC officers were unable to gain access to the affected areas. As such, this initiative is aimed at taking necessary precautions in preparation for the occurrence of natural disasters, reducing the extent of damage and, most importantly, preventing the loss of lives.
