Following a visit to Region Ten last week, the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) while pleased with his agency’s efforts, remains concerned about the infrastructural damage and continued impact of the persistent flooding.
According to a release from the CDC yesterday, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig visited the area on August 13 and 14 to observe and assess the flood-affected communities.
“The visit began by engaging the CDC supervisory and support staff who are responsible for shelter management, impact monitoring and hamper distribution (hamper distribution is spearheaded by Regional Authorities with assistance from the CDC),” the release stated.
Craig is said to have inquired about the consistency and distribution of supplies; and the monitoring of areas from Kwakwani to Sand Hills and is pleased with all efforts so far.
Shelters at Aroaima, Hururu, Forestry, and Kwakwani, were inspected and recommendations made about management operations. Also inspected were communities hard hit by flooding such as Ladernsville, Hururu, Lamp Island, and the Kwakwani Waterfront.
In these areas water remains high with several residents and businesses inundated. Several sections of access roads are also still under water and structural damage of varying degrees was observed throughout the communities.
Craig also reportedly engaged residents and representatives of the Regional Democratic Council, including Renita Ignatius of Hururu, to receive first hand feedback of the devastating effects of the floods, and the shelter experiences in general.
“He regarded the engagements as fruitful and insightful,” the release concluded.
Stabroek News has previously reported that some residents along the Kwakwani waterfront are open to relocation as they recognise that no infrastructural efforts can be made to save their community from repeated flooding.
Regional Councillor Elroy Aldoph had explained that he would be approaching the Democratic Council, Central Housing and Planning Authority, and Lands and Surveys, on behalf of the residents who wished to move.
It was also expected that a Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) report on the flooding would support his proposition.
The Preparedness and Response Manager of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Salim October had told this newspaper that the Detailed Damaged Sectoral Assessment was being finalised for regions 2,5,6,7 and 10. It was expected that the report would be submitted to the government last week.
Stabroek News reached out to CDC Public Relations Officer Patrice Wishart about the report and was told that he was not aware of a submission being made.
