The economic sustenance of many farmers and residents in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) remains threatened, as communities in the Mahaicony area are still under water. Guyana Times was told that initial flooding in the area began in early April. Residents of Mora Point and Gordon’s Table on Tuesday expressed frustration that their cows, chickens and other livestock remain at the mercy of the slowly receding floodwaters, coupled with fields of rice and cash crops which were destroyed.
The Hospital at Mahaicony
This publication was told that the most worrying for residents is the fact that there has been an increase in reports of children becoming sick in Mora Point and Gordon’s Table on the Mahaicony River. According to residents, a number of children are down with influenza. Also, residents noted that there is an influx of mosquitoes, which has reportedly increased due to the weeks of stagnated water.
Guyana Times understands that there has been a shortage of medication at the Mora Point Health Centre. According to information received, the Medex who visits the centre regularly would often operate without the requisite medication needed to treat associated ailments. Speaking with this publication via telephone, a resident explained that this shortage is mostly affecting the children who are ill and seek relief from their symptoms. One resident of Gordon’s Table alleged that there is also a drug shortage at the Mahaicony Hospital, located some miles away.
“We suffering bad,” the resident posited.
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said on Monday that flood waters in the area have receded by “a few inches” over the last few days.
A woman from Mora Point expressed annoyance that her community has not been benefiting from flood relief as those from Moraikobai, also on the Mahaicony River. The farmers in Mahaicony are calling for Government’s assistance for seed paddy and fertiliser to help them continue rice cultivation to maintain their livelihood.
The Regional Chairman had earlier noted that many of the affected communities are in need of urgent flood relief.
“Residents across the region in those areas that are affected should receive some form of relief so that they can get back on their feet,” the Chairman stated on Monday. Ramphal had also highlighted that flood waters in the villages of Trafalgar, Union and Bush Lot had receded but stressed that communities in the Mahaicony area were inundated. It was only last week that over 200 angry residents blocked the Number 30 Village main access road causing a 45-minute traffic delay.
After this protest action, operatives of both Government and the Opposition have been meeting with residents to address their concerns. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday visited the flood-affected communities and distributed food items and bottled water. Previously, the Civil Defence Commission donated food supplies to residents in Moraikobai.
