Civil Defence Commission and Social Protection Ministry leading flood response

floodGeorgetown: The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is coordinating Flood Relief efforts and together with the Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, are assessing the need for temporary shelters in affected communities.  Additionally, the Ministry of Social Protection has been mandated by Cabinet to ensure the safety and well-being of residents of senior citizen homes and other vulnerable citizens that fall within the purview of that Ministry.

Cabinet met again at 08:00 hrs this morning, where a report on the assessment of the flood situation in Regions 1, 2, 2, 4, 5 and 6 was given. From that report, Cabinet was able to determine that Region 4 is the most affected region with some flooding on the West Coast and the West Bank of Demerara in Region 3.

The Regional Chairmen and Regional Executive Officers in the other assessed regions have reported that the flood situation in their regions is manageable.

With Cabinet’s approval, an aircraft was sent out this morning at 07:40 hrs on a reconnaissance mission. The information that was gathered through that process will be shared with the CDC, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Communities as well as the regional administrations. That report will also be presented to cabinet at 18:00 hrs this evening, by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the CDC, is currently meeting with the head of that organization, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup.  The People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) will be briefed and will be invited to participate in the flood relief efforts.

Meanwhile, with the long range weather forecast suggesting that there will be further intense rainfall, flooding is likely to abate within a 48 hour period.