At least two families of the flood-affected Joe Hook and Grass Hook areas in Mahaica Creek have so far decided to relocate to Hope, East Coast Demerara within three weeks to escape the possible recurrence of a flood.
But they cannot do so on their own and are seeking the assistance of government to transport their belongings. Other families said they are “hoping” to move to Hope, before the next rainy season in December but they do not think that might happen as they do not “have the finance to rebuild.”
Residents had made a request for the house lots after suffering from years of flooding whenever it rains. In July last, Minister of Housing, Harry Narine Nawbatt allocated the lots at Hope to about 40 families.
Government also promised to allot five-acre farmlands to each resident along with the house lots so they can continue their trade. But residents have not received the farmlands as yet.
The residents told this newspaper that the flooding situation had started to worsen since 2005, causing them to lose their cash crops and livestock. And with the recent May/June rains which resulted in the floodwaters only receding completely after four months, they had to endure “rough” times.
They said government undertook medical outreaches during that time and while they got no other help from the government, two organizations – the Guyana Islamic Trust and the Indian Arrival Committee supplied them with food hampers.
Raymond Doodnauth told Stabroek News (SN) that he and his son Chetram along with their families are making arrangement to relocate within three weeks. “But it really hard and we need some assistance from government to move we things out from here.” He said government officials had agreed to provide a pontoon when residents are ready to move.
He said within two weeks of the flood he lost all his produce that was almost ready to be reaped and he was unable to earn an income. As such he has exhausted the little savings he had and ended up borrowing money from relatives and selling his cows “just to survive.”
Apart from wondering how they would be able to move out from the creek, Doodnauth’s son, Chetram is concerned about what work he would do when he relocates to Hope. He hopes that government can speed up the process for them to get the land to start his farming.
“The area don’t have jobs and me na know what else to do to earn a living. But if anyone gat a farm and offer me a job there ah willing fuh work with them for the time,” he said.
According to him, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud had assured residents that he would have assisted to cultivate the land and he hopes that the minister would keep his promise.
“He [the minister] even ask we if we know how to operate a chainsaw and we tell him yes so we hope he can give we some work when the time come,” Chetram said.
Roopnarine, another resident said he has started to plant his farm again for the other crop in December and if he leaves now his farm would be left unattended.
He is uncertain about whether he would be able to reap his produce “or if the flood gon come and destroy it again. Bora is the fastest crop and me plant a lot of that.”
He said, “Right now me na know what to do. We on real pressure in here and we barely have money to buy ordinary thing to eat. We can’t eat as we used to eat before.”
Residents have not received titles for the houselots as yet but said government had promised to provide them “with letters so we can take it to the bank to apply for soft loans.”
They also said they would be happy if the Food for the Poor organization can assist them to rebuild and had already asked government to solicit help from the organization on their behalf.
Another resident, Marcellos Sarjoo said he is looking forward to relocating as he had gone through many floods and doesn’t think he is prepared for another one.
But because he lost all his produce to the flood and was unable to earn an income, he cannot afford to relocate as yet. He said although there is an option to get a loan from the bank to rebuild, he is afraid to take that step.
“Doing cash crop is very hard; sometimes you cannot predict when it would be good and when you would lose everything. Then you have to worry how you gon repay the loan,” he said.
Regional chairman of Region Five, Harrinarine Baldeo told this newspaper that the lots have already been prepared and that it would “take some time for the residents occupy it.”
He could not say if transportation would be provided to assist residents to move but said he is aware they had spoken to government officials about it.
