Flooding caused by heavy rain has made travel to some of the most remote and hard-hit communities in Region Seven impossible, leaving the majority of those affected to fend for themselves.
Luckily, in Jawalla, 28-year-old Azoney Mariza Clement has made it her duty to provide assistance to the persons in her community who were forced to evacuate their homes as a result of severe flooding.
Days of torrential downpours have caused rivers and creeks to overflow in the hinterland regions and have left homes, farms, shops, and mining pits, located close to a river or creek, inundated. Initial assessments done by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) revealed that over 6,000 persons have been affected countrywide. This number, however, does not include regions Seven and Eight where assessments are yet to be conducted. Hence the number of persons affected in these regions is yet to be known.
Located close to a river, residents of Jawalla, an Indigenous community in the Upper Mazaruni, did not expect to be spared but hoped that they would be. Hope was not enough and when the floodwaters hit, dozens of families were immediately affected and forced to evacuate. In fact, a family is now displaced after the strong river current swept away their home.
Based on the last assessment done in the community, over 40 houses are presently submerged under record-high water. This information was related to Regional and Government officials and efforts were made to transport members of the CDC to Kamarang, a nearby community, with plans to establish a base and provide the requisite assistance but the torrential rains prevented this and to date the community is yet to receive assistance.
“Seeing those who are affected broke my heart. I know what it is like to lose your home and have nothing but the clothes you have on your back. I know I just needed to do something,” Clement, a former deputy Toshao of the community, told Stabroek News in an interview yesterday.
Although located quite a distance away from the river, Clement revealed that her family is also affected with two houses submerged but despite this her fellow villagers are in worse shape. Clement decided to do whatever she could to assist and has since commenced distributing hampers to those that are affected.
With water levels continuing to rise, Clement said she is helping persons build camps on higher ground and also trying to donate tents. She noted while some had family and friends to turn to, many do not and with the community completely isolated trying to figure out their next step is difficult while others do not want to venture too far away from their homes hoping that they can move back in as soon as the water current weakens.
“I feel that’s the only thing to do and I know I’m fortunate enough that I can actually help others. It’s always been a passion for me and my family. And that’s something I don’t think can ever change nor do I want this part of me to change. I’ll be thinking of more ways to see how best I can continue to assist. After having our home burn down I devoted myself in rebuilding what was lost, then I became the deputy Toshao and did work for the village and it gives me a sense of clarity on myself and knowing who I am. I feel better when I give back it feels as helping others is what I’m meant to do,” she added.
According to Clement, the community keeps records of the water levels during the wet season and this year, the level has significantly risen as compared to previous years.
“I’m a lot worried. I have not experienced anything like this but Jawalla was flooded before but this was before I was born but the water continues to rise. There is still some high grounds but if the water continues to rise more then we can say we will be severely affected,” she added.
Clement said that she plans to continue checking up on the people.
Jawalla is one of several communities in Region Seven affected by flooding. According to Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, several communities and gold mining areas in Region Seven are affected including Kamarang, Isseneru, Kangaruma, Warawatta, Kaka, Paruima, Waramadong and Quebanang. He told Stabroek News most of the communities and farmlands remain inundated as rain continues to fall.
The majority of gold mining activities have been halted in the Region due to intense and constant rainfall. Williams says he hopes that an assessment of the entire region can commence today but this is dependent on the weather.
