Twelve families who had occupied the building which collapsed at Hadfield and Smyth streets were homeless after the disaster but they will soon receive house lots and homes following the intervention of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Ministry of Housing and Food for the Poor (Guyana).
The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that the Ministry of Human Services had responded by providing alternative accommodation and necessities for them. The families then applied to the Ministry of Housing for house lots and those who were eligible received lots.
Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand said that all the necessary procedures were followed in the process but it was treated with urgency because it was an emergency.
Food for the Poor Guyana Inc subsequently pledged to build the houses free of cost for the families. This will soon be realized as persons have already received titles for their land and within a few weeks these families will be able to move into their own homes, GINA reported.
Manickchand said the ministry has already assisted the families to remove their possessions that were salvaged from the building. She noted that the building fell after years of neglect and though it was not the property of the government and some of the persons did not even have permission to stay there, government wanted to assist and it turned out to be a ‘blessing in disguise’.
The minister said further that the ministry was not only concerned about providing the families with their own homes but would offer counselling services and home management sessions among other improvement exercises so their lives can be better.
Staff of the Human Services Ministry will be working with the families to ensure that they adapt to their new homes and surroundings.
The minister also commended Food for the Poor for being so responsive to the needs of the families. The Guyana Relief Council also received praise for its assistance in providing living accommodation and necessities for those families who were staying at the shelter.
The families expressed their appreciation to the ministries of Human Services, Housing and Food for the Poor for reaching out to them in their time of need, GINA added.
