Preliminarily reports have suggested that some 400 households have been affected as the spring tides continue to wreak havoc on low-lying and coastal villages in five regions. The Government of Guyana (GoG) is considering issuing financial assistance to those who were affected.
Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon indicated as much as he spoke to the media at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) today.
Harmon said that the possibilities of offering financial assistance formed part of the discussions when the officials met earlier in the day.
“Yes, this is something that we are considering. In fact, it was part of our discussion in the meeting this afternoon. Persons would have been affected; [their] household items, livestock, crops, and fertilizers would have been damaged,” he said.
Harmon added that government will be making an application to the contingency fund for a “global sum” to be awarded for that purpose. He noted that the CDC will advise on how it will be distributed within the regions. These disbursements will only be made after the completion of an assessment, to ensure that there is “equitable” distribution.
Quizzed about whether there is a figure in mind, Harmon replied “no specific figure, [because] this has to be something that will be done on a case-to-case basis.”
The regions affected are, Regions: Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); Four (Demerara/Mahaica); Five (Mahaica/Berbice); and Six (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).
