President Dr. Irfaan Ali earlier today announced that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has advised that the flood situation across the country is now a Level 2 Disaster.
The Head of State made this disclosure as he addressed residents of Chesney New Housing Scheme during the second day of his outreach activities in Regions Five and Six.
“The CDC advised this morning that the disaster is a Level 2 Disaster so that we can now move the situation to the international community to get international support.”
According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) Regional Response Mechanism, a Level 2 Event is one in which the national capacity to respond is not overwhelmed, but some external assistance is required. The affected State may or may not declare a disaster. In this scenario, the CDEMA Coordinating Unit may provide technical assistance, specialised equipment, support personnel, and information sharing.
In comparison, a Level 3 Event overwhelms the capacity of an affected State to respond.
WE WANT TO HELP AND WE WILL BE HELPING
Before his stop in Chesney, the Head of State began today’s outreach activities in Fyrish, where he reassured residents there that every single community in every region affected by floodwaters, including their community, will be aided.
“I am going to every single community across our country to let people understand and to know we are concerned about the situation and we want to help, and we will be helping …So I’m here this morning to assure you as President that every single community will be served.”
The President explained that the immediate needs in many of the flood-affected communities are to ensure that residents have access to food, shelter as well as health care. He added that the worst affected are farmers and those who rear livestock.
Regarding the actions being taken by the various agencies, President Ali noted that the CDC has already initiated a programme to ensure that food is delivered to affected areas and that medical supplies and shelter are provided.
“We will be working hard to get as much water off of the land as possible; as soon as the water recedes we are going to have a full assessment.”
