| Massive clean up campaign along the East Coast
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The Ministry of Public Works and Communications has contracted DIPCON – a Trinidadian Company - to pick up carcasses along the East Coast of Demerara, between Enterprise and Liliendaal today.
Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier is therefore requesting that persons put their dead animals on the public road, where they can be picked up and be properly disposed of.
Volunteers are also asked to come out and assist with this massive clean up exercise. Over the past few days, residents along the East Coast lost many livestock due to floods.
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Residents of Bladen Hall get flood relief
- 425 residents benefit
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Government continues to reach out to those affected by the flood. Today residents of Bladen Hall on the East Coast of Demerara received assistance from Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues.
Minister Rodrigues and her team distributed 425 food hampers to residents of the village. She told them that this is only part of the assistance by Government.
Residents shared their grievances with the Minister and according to residents they lost kitchen garden and livestock, and shop owners claimed losses of goods.
Residents also expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Government for the assistance.
President Jagdeo today tasked the Ministers to go out and visit communities and villages around the country and distribute food hampers to residents there.
Government over the past week has been bringing relief to residents affected by the flood. Assistance provided includes food, water, shelter and medical assistance.
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UK makes flood relief donation
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The British Government today donated £20,000 (G$6M) to the flood relief efforts in Guyana. A release from the British High Commission in Georgetown stated that the British Government, through its Department for International Development (DFID), Georgetown office, has made this initial donation to assist with immediate relief to flood victims.
A further G$24 million (£80,000) has also been provided to UNICEF in support of the emergency efforts. The British Government also makes contribution to the European Community’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) , which has already supported the provision of material assistance and is deploying an expert team.
The team will bring wide experience in dealing with similar emergencies and will support the co-ordination of assistance, the release stated.
The release further stated that the United Kingdom Government and the British High Commission in Georgetown have been saddened by the suffering caused by the floods and are pleased to be able to offer this assistance.
The UK is also pleased to see significant international expertise deployed in Guyana to assist in the relief efforts.
The Republic of Brazil has already made contributions of medical supplies and food to the flood relief efforts in Guyana while the United States of America has pledged more than $10M. The Canadian Government has also contributed to the relief efforts.
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Cabinet continues flood relief effort
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo today met with his Cabinet to discuss further measures to combat the prevailing flood.
As a result, Cabinet members have been dispatched to different villages along the East Coast of Demerara to assess the situation on the ground and to oversee the relief effort. The Ministers and other Government officials will be visiting Lusignan, Annandale, Vigilance/Bladen-Hall, Haslington, Nonpareil, Melanie, Beterverwagting, Success, Plaisance and Coldingen.
Cabinet will be reporting to the President this evening with an assessment of the flood and the relief efforts.
President Jagdeo has released $200 M for flood relief efforts so far, and this figure may rise if the situation worsen.
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Private Sector Commission Condemns Price Increases
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) today issued a release condemning the recent increases in price for commodities such as rice, flour, potatoes and cooking oil which are being put on by some businesses, including supermarkets, shopkeepers, retailers and street vendors due to the widespread flooding.
The release stated that wholesalers have confirmed that there has been no increase in wholesale prices although stocks at hand are rapidly decreasing.
It added that the PSC and its member organisations are calling on the business community to resist and condemn such unscrupulous behaviour by a few who seem to be unmindful of the great difficulties already being experienced by a large number of consumers.
The PSC noted that the crisis requires everyone to play a part and urged business owners and vendors to keep prices the way they were before the crisis or even reduce them.
“There are numerous wage earners and pensioners whose incomes and livelihoods have been severely disrupted and who will have to continue to depend on the limited flood relief supplies that are being distributed,” the PSC release further stated.
The PSC welcomed the announcement by Government to waive duties and taxes on imported items for flood relief and urged businesses to ensure that their stocks are replenished in a timely manner to avoid shortages.
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NBS donates $3M for flood relief
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The New Building Society Limited (NBS) has donated a total of $3M toward flood relief in the critically affected areas of the country.
NBS noted that the money was donated in recognition of the grave situation caused by the widespread flooding of the coastal regions.
In a press release, it was pointed out that $2M of the donation will go to the Guyana Relief Council while $1M will be given to the Guyana Red Cross Society.
The New Building Society will also be liaising with the relevant authority to provide relief supplies to “properly organized” communities, so that all members of the affected communities can benefit in the shortest possible time.
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Government donates food hampers to residents in Annandale South
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
A total of seven thousand food hampers are expected to be distributed today as part of the Government’s effort to bring relief to residents in communities that are severely affected by floods.
This effort is being funded by the Government and a number of private organisations.
Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock and acting Minister of Agriculture Satyadoew Sawh distributed some three hundred hampers to residents in Annandale South on the East Coast of Demerara.
The food hampers which consist of sugar, rice, peas, oil, sardine and other food supplies were given to each house in the area.
Minister Sawh said this contribution will help the people who can not afford to buy or get to areas that sell food supplies. He said this will help the residents tremendously.
As the week progresses more relief efforts will be made to continue helping the people.
The residents expressed their gratitude for the hampers and said the supplies will assist them greatly.
Also, later this afternoon Minister Sawh will be distributing two hundred and fifty hampers to residents in Annandale South ( East Ville).
Minister Sawh said presently all pumps are working along the East Coast of Demerara and 4-6 more pumps will be deployed today.
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East Coast villages get more hampers
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Today, some 500 food hampers have been distributed to the villages of Kersaint Park, La Bonne Intention and Success, along the East Coast of Demerara. The hampers included rice, cooking oil, matches and toothpaste.
Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Navin Chandarpal spearheaded the exercise. He assured residents that Government is doing its best to deal with the flood situation.
Leonora Hindu Temple has also joined in the relief. The temple has been distributing approximately 500 meals daily in various areas.
Many residents are utilizing the services of medical personnel from the Health Ministry, in attendance at La Bonne Intention Primary School over the past few days.
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Importers granted tax exemption on goods for flood victims
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Government over the weekend announced that with immediate effect it is granting exemption of import duty and consumption tax on essential goods imported to aid victims of flood in Guyana.
This move is in an effort to reduce and stabilize prices of these essential commodities.
The commodities on the exemption list are flour, sugar, cooking oil, corned beef, mutton, sardines, split peas, onions, potatoes, salt, rice, cheese, chicken sausage, salt and sweet biscuit, black-eye peas and toilet paper.
Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the entity with responsibility for public revenue collection, has already put measures in place to ensure that importers are given the necessary assistance to import these commodities through the Customs and Trade Administration Department.
All importers who will be importing these goods under this special grant are advised to write the Commissioner General, Mr. Kurshid Sattaur, requesting tax exemption, a GRA released stated.
Letters must be accompanied by a Customs Declaration Form – C72, which should state clearly the amount of tax to be exempted.
For further information, importers can contact Gavin Low – Remission Unit on telephone number 227-8542 or 227-8459 or Binsaud Baksh on telephone number 621-9927.
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Flood relief efforts continue
Georgetown GINA, January 24, 2005
Today, another truckload of supplies were sent to HBTV Channel 9 on Mandela Avenue for distribution. Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier was there to deliver the supplies.
Truckloads of supplies were being distributed to affected communities today as Government’s response to the flood intensifies.
The Government has said that relief efforts will continue as long as needed.
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Flood relief tally could be formidable – Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Short and medium term responses to the flood could call for formidable expenditure. This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
At a media conference he shared with Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Elizabeth Harper, Dr. Luncheon said that in the context of the wide-spread responses, the $200 million given for the flood relief effort is “a drop in the bucket”.
He recalled that at a meeting on January 19, the donor community in Georgetown was briefed on the situation. He said that probably because of their own experiences here in Georgetown a solid and humanitarian approach was offered.
According to Dr. Luncheon, at that meeting, pledges were made and the Administration undertook to provide information of a suitable account at a local bank where cash pledges could be deposited.
He recalled too, that requests were made for an assessment of the situation, so that the donor community could mobilize to offer support.
According to Ambassador Harper, the US has pledged $50,000 which should be deposited tomorrow. DFID $183,000 which will be deposited into the local bank account to be used for the procurement of emergency supplies. From the IDB a pledge of $200,000 should also be deposited that week. From the EU-$100,00 which was used to procure items that came in the Red Cross shipment. from CIDA $35,000 which should be deposited tomorrow. From UNDP $100,000. UNICEF $75,000. The CDB has provided a $100,000 grant which will be managed by the Caribbean Response Disaster Agency.
And the World Bank approved the utilization of funds already allocated for HIV/AIDS programmes in Guyana to be diverted to the relief effort. The Bank will reimburse whatever funds are used in this regard.
Dr. Luncheon noted that at the bilateral level, Brazil was the first to send solid support. Sixteen tonnes of emergency food supplies arrived from Brazil and this has been distributed. A second shipment is expected tomorrow. A shipment of supplies is also expected from Venezuela.
The HPS also lauded the efforts at the local level, which came from businesses and private individuals. He noted OMAI’s and Beepat’s contributions of $10 million each.
“There has been an experience here in the relief effort which cannot help but enhance the image of Guyanese,” he said.
According to Dr. Luncheon, the Guyanese Diaspora is also mobilizing to send relief for flood victims and the overseas missions are continuously being updated on the situation.
Dr. Luncheon said that in the short-term response, at the local level, both organized and individual, there has been a wealth of donation of both goods and services es. And from the donor community, the realization of pledges started today and these pledges are expected to continue over the next few days. From the international community and at the bilateral level, supplies and donations are being received and distributed.
In response to questions of Government’s interventions to address the situation, Dr. Luncheon noted that the efforts consist of providing goods and services and getting the water to recede.
He pointed out that the information provided to local and international agencies lists pumps as one of the much needed items.
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11000 hampers prepared for distribution by private sector
Georgetown, GINA Monday, January 24, 2005
Members of the private sector have provided Government with a safe, dry location to coordinate food distribution efforts.
Ray Rahaman’s Rent-A-Tent compound at Houston, East Bank of Demerara has been transformed into the central distribution point for food relief to flood hit communities. Mr. Karan Singh, coordinator for the private sector effort said that the private sector response has been massive.
He said that dozens of organisations have donated millions of dollars and those that have not, have sold goods to Government at concessionary prices.
Mr. Singh also said that more than a hundred volunteers have come to the centre to package the food hampers. The centre has also packaged goods sourced from Brazil.
One volunteer from Agricola on the East Bank said that she had come out to work at the centre because she recognised that hundreds of persons have been seriously affected. She herself has more than 10 persons in her home who have been displaced from the Ruimveldt area.
Bonny Singh of Japarts, who has volunteer experience in hurricane relief efforts in Florida, said more than 4000 hampers had been packaged and sent off for distribution in the last days.
Seven thousand hampers were on the ground today for distribution by teams of Government Ministers to worst affected communities that have not been reached by relief efforts.
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Relief efforts fill ‘pockets’ previously missed
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Government Ministers today fanned out to several communities across the country to take relief to residents who either received insufficient or none at all.
This follows President Bharrat Jagdeo’s commitment to the residents on ground yesterday to ensure they all benefit.
Information Liaison to the President Robert Persaud today said that the President summoned a Cabinet meeting this morning and information was shared regarding the implementation of relief in these communities. The President also brought Ministers up to date on the feedback he garnered when he visited East Coast Demerara yesterday.
The President stopped at more than 20 communities along the coast and interacted with residents, many of whom told him of receiving no or insufficient relief. A list was made and today, the Minister took dry ration to these communities.
“The exercise went well,” Persaud said, adding that relief was taken to some 35 communities, fulfilling the President’s promise.
Several pumps more were also deployed along the Coast, including one at Buxton. Later this evening Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board Ravi Narine is expected to give an update on the situation. However, Persaud said that the floodwaters have somewhat receded.
He also noted that relief supplies have been coming in from various agencies.
Meanwhile, the President again today met residents with grievances at State House. They were advised to return to the communities for which trucks with the Ministers had already left.
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President meets security Heads
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon met security heads at State House for an update on relief measures that they are manning.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Edward Collins, Deputy Chief of Staff of the GDF Colonel Chabilaal Ramsaroop, Colonel Lewis and Commissioner of Police Winston Felix.
President Bharrat Jagdeo meets security heads at State House for an update on relief measures
that they are manning
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New Egyptian Ambassador accredited
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The new Ambassador of Egypt to Guyana today presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Guyana Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abdalla met the President at State House. The duo, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign affairs Elizabeth Harper held private discussions.
Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Guyana Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abdalla
presents his Letters of Credence to President Bharrat Jagdeo
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Neglected areas in Lusignan receive aid
Georgetown, GINA Monday, January 24, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds led a distribution team today to Lusignan today on the East Coast of Demerara today to ensure that those sections of the community that were not receiving aid were reached.
This follows a visit to that East Coast of Demerara village yesterday by President Bharrat Jagdeo who ordered that relief efforts focus on those people who have not been able to receive aid because their communities have been cut off by, in some cases, chest high flood water.
Five hundred and twenty hampers were distributed in Track “a” squatter settlement and another squatting area at Lusignan north.
Many residents in Lusignan are satisfied with the aid they have received so far and assisted the team in its house-to-house distribution efforts to get to those persons who previously had not been reached.
Prime Minister Hinds said that he is confident that the hampers are being distributed fairly since two Presidential Guards live in Lusignan and are leading the distribution effort.
The hampers included rice, sugar, milk, peas, sardine and other staples.
Members of the Sai Baba religious organisation were also in the area distributing cooked meals. Leo Sawh, a member of the organisation said that they have been doing this for almost a week.
He said that the activity is being funded by members of the group because of their responsibility to serve humanity.
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Minister Rodrigues delivers 500 food hampers to Victoria -Relief promised by President
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
Residents of Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara were today the recipients of 500 dry food hampers delivered by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues. The hampers were promised by President Bharrat Jagdeo during a visit to the village yesterday.
The truck-load of hampers moved off from Rahaman’s Rent-a-Tent compound at Houston, East Bank Demerara where they were packed for distribution. Three hundred were taken to Victoria Primary School, a temporary shelter for dislocated affected residents while another 200 were taken for house to house distribution at the back of the village where residents were mostly affected by the flood.
The hampers included peas, rice, sugar, milk, oil and other supplies.
A number of persons were being accommodated at the shelter and Desmond Saul, a missionary and coordinator of the assistance for the village, noted that the occupants there receive hot meals daily. However, some persons complained to the Minister that a few residents were stealing mattresses from the shelter while some were treating others, who really need help, unfairly.
Government Ministers today delivered thousands of food hampers to a number of affected areas beyond the public road on the East Coast that had previously not received aid. To ensure that each house was given assistance, the Ministers and teams travelled to far out areas with truck-loads of relief assistance.
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Weather forecast for January 24-26
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2005
The Hydro-metrological Office has advised that the weather forecast for tonight January 24 to January 26 is expected to be tolerable rainfall, which should range from 0.5 to 1.0 inch.
Wednesday night to Friday during the day could see some increase but still should be less than about 1.5 inches. A reduction in quantity is likely towards Saturday daytime.
The current weather pattern continues to produce a veering of clouds southwards just along the Guyana/Suriname border. These systems show intensification as they progress southward, affecting mostly the eastern neighbouring countries.
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