The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Tuesday began mobilising 1,000 hampers of food, sanitisation and cleaning supplies for residents of Region Nine who have been affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, said some residents have been displaced due to the flooding and have either been moved into shelters or in with their relatives. As such, there will be a priority distribution of the food supplies to these displaced people, while a deeper assessment continues.
Each of the 1,000 relief supplies being dispatched by the CDC would be able to benefit at least a family of five, the Lieutenant Colonel said.
Craig said it is difficult to predict how much longer the situation will drag out.
“…we will have a sustained response in the region,” he said.
He added: “We cannot have people being affected and don’t provide the necessary support for them. We have adequate relief supplies available.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock told the News Room that a number of farms and roadways across Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have been affected by the seasonal flooding and the region is bracing for worse in the coming weeks.
The Regional Chairman noted that the regional authorities have been working along with other bodies and the CDC to ensure that assistance can be provided to all residents of the large region.
By Tuesday afternoon the CDC said that torrential rainfall exacerbated the flooding situation in Lethem, the capital town in Region Nine.
“In Bashaizon, Rupununi approximately 48 households were impacted due to heavy rainfall and over-topping of the Takutu River. Residents were urged to secure all at-risk, personal effects so as to minimise damage to property,” the CDC said.
It added that in the Parabara, Rupununi area, 48 residents were affected; cassava farms and farine and bread making shops also affected.
Additionally, since access roads are inundated, the Commission noted that complete assessments would be unlikely.
With the flooding situation exacerbated in Region Nine, the CDC also reported that it received reports of flooding in the Canje Creek area of Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne).
According to the CDC, residents of Ikuruwa and Takuba, villages along the Canje Creek, were inundated due to heavy rainfall and river over-topping. Approximately 30 households from each village were reportedly affected, while crops and livestock perished as a result. The CDC has distributed 52 hampers in Ikuruwa and 107 hampers in Takuba.
Flooding was also reported in part of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), over the past week, according to reports shared by the CDC on Tuesday.
After comprehensive assessments were conducted, the CDC noted that cleaning hampers were distributed in a number of areas.
“CDC received reports that Kara Kara, Blueberry Hill, Block 42, Siberian Village and Ladernsville (Region 10 areas) all experienced flooding as a result of heavy and consistent rainfall, and overflowing of nearby creeks and rivers,” CDC said.
