In the backdrop of the extended La Nina, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has dispatched foodstuff to assist residents of the North and South Pakaraimas, which have been waterlogged for almost six weeks.
The relief effort is being spearheaded by Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development and Amerindian Affairs, Kellawan Lall and Pauline Sukhai respectively, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release.
At a simple handing over ceremony at the Amerindian Hostel at Princes Street, Georgetown, Lall said that this is the first response as some communities are facing difficulties, particularly with regard to agriculture.
Sukhai assured that although current wet conditions may put a damper on the Amerindian heritage celebrations this month, they will not hinder the activities in any significant way.
According to GINA, the two ministers will be visiting the affected communities in the coming week to assess the situation and to determine what other forms of assistance could be rendered.
The food items that were sent Friday include rice, sugar, salt, tomato sauce, and flour amounting to $1.5 million but government’s overall relief effort since the arid El Nino period goes beyond $43 million, the release stated. Sukhai noted that the residents were already affected by the prolonged dry spell earlier in the year (El Nino) and the current heavy rainfall has now added to their discomfort.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister has already had discussions with Community Development Officers of the various regions to plot the way forward in assisting the affected villages.
Additionally, the Agriculture Ministry will be providing assistance to revitalise farming in the affected communities, the release concluded.