In a hands-on approach, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday continued his on-the-ground flood assessment by visiting affected communities along the Upper Berbice River in Region 10, where he reassured residents that all essential items including food and shelter would be provided to them.
During the visit, the Head of State assessed the situation at Lamp Island, Kwakwani – one of the severely affected communities in the country – Bamboo Landing, Hururu Mission and Ladern’s Ville.
President Ali listened to the concerns of scores of residents whose homes and farmlands are inundated due to persistent rainfall over the last week. He reassured them that his Government, working with all stakeholders, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), will ensure that food, water and health supplies are provided.
He further explained that shelters would be set up at various Government buildings to ensure that flood-affected residents have places to stay safe and secure until the floodwaters recede.
President in Black Bush
When it comes to Black Bush Polder in Region Six, President Ali was able to assess the scale of the flooding on Saturday afternoon via a helicopter over large swathes of land inundated by water.
After visiting Kwakwani, a severely flood-affected community, the President journeyed to Port Mourant and then via road into Lesbeholden in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. In Lesbeholden, the Head of State interacted with a number of residents and as he did in Kwakwani, solicited opinions on solutions both immediate and long-term.
President Dr Irfaan Ali visiting residents affected by the flood. Also in picture is Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
It was explained that the Government will be giving the farmers feed to take into Cookrite Savannah today. Additionally, fuel will be provided for the farmers’ tractors so that they can take them in.
The President also gave instructions for steps to be taken to evacuate livestock that are stranded in mud.
A team of officers from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be visiting the savannahs on Monday to provide whatever medical aid is required to ensure that sick animals survive.
Hundreds of heads of cattle, and other smaller animals are trapped in floodwaters in the savannahs aback Black Bush Polder.
Black Bush Polder relies heavily on agriculture and livestock and a natural disaster like floods has the potential to wipe out of the way of life of thousands.
President Ali was accompanied by the Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill; Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess; CDC Head, Lieutenant Kester Craig and other officials.
CDC
Meanwhile, the CDC on Saturday morning packed and sent off trucks with relief hampers to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Some 600 food hampers and 600 cleaning hampers were handed over to the regional authority in Linden.
During visits to the mining communities, which were spearheaded by Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier General Mark Phillips, residents pointed to a number of issues caused by the flooding. Over at Three Friends Mines, residents noted that farmlands, gardens and livestock were affected.
Several homes were also still underwater and at one point a road was cut off from a section of the community due to intense flooding. Speaking to residents of Coomacka Mines, the Prime Minister said while the hampers were not sufficient for everyone, the aim was to ensure that those who are adversely affected receive assistance.
“From Government’s side, we recognise this as a disaster, because a lot of people are affected, not only in Coomacka, but throughout communities across Region 10…We are working to bring relief to those who are affected in every community throughout Guyana, because this is not a flood that has affected Region 10 alone… this is a flood that has affected every community in Guyana.”
“This is an exercise that we’ve embarked on throughout this rainy season, because it is our intention as a Government to go into every community that is affected by the floods, do an assessment and to manage the whole situation by bringing relief/supplies to you,” Phillips told residents.
The Prime Minister also said that Government has seen first-hand the effects caused by flooding throughout the country and will continue to work to bring relief. According to him, they have been informed that flooding is an annual occurrence, but this year communities have been hit particularly hard.
“The focus, as a priority is for those who are actually affected by the flooding… We have seen a lot of people that live especially along the edge of the river, they’re basically under water right now and we hope that they can be the ones who will get the hampers – those who are severely affected.”
“This is an annual flooding, I’m told, however, this year it is unusual. That’s why the water is so high and affecting Kwakwani, that’s why the water is so high here in the Demerara River and affecting you. Additional hampers will be donated to the communities, to reach every household,” Phillips noted.
In recognition of how flooding can exacerbate health issues, Prime Minister Phillips also explained that Government is aware that communities are presently affected by COVID-19 and will put additional systems in place for assistance in this regard.
“That is the commitment of the Government, first of all to deal with those who are affected immediately by the flooding and also afterwards to bring in some more hampers to everybody because we recognise that everybody is affected by COVID-19,” he assured.
Evacuation
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has meanwhile signalled that the Government is preparing for mass evacuation if need be. During an interview with social commentator Mikhail Rodriguez, he explained that
“The Central Government will provide resources for rebuilding of infrastructure and to address livelihood. Because many people have not only had hardships, but they lost their farmlands and the animals they had. So, there would be support for this after we get past the immediate issues.”
He explained that the Government is prepared to help persons with the recovery phase in the future but for now, regional officials have been exhorted to be liaisons between the people and the Central Government.
“We made it clear to all the regional officials, councillors, that they must be visible in the communities right across the region and they must say this to people and see if they need immediate help. Contact us so we can provide the resources so that people can get food and shelter at this stage. And if necessary, be evacuated. That’s our key priority,” he said.
Several Government officials have visited affected areas over the last few days, including Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, who journeyed to Black Bush Polder in Berbice on Wednesday.
Guyana is faced with severe rainfall in several parts of the country and according to information from the Hydrometeorological Service, heavy rainfall will likely continue over the next few days.
A number of communities in Guyana, especially those in low-lying and riverine areas, are currently flooded, due to heavy rainfall. (G3)
