Photo: Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Guyana (Posting date at CARICAD, Tuesday, June 15, 2021) By Franklyn Michael O n Thursday, June 10th, 2021, a flood disaster was declared in Guyana. The President, Dr. Irfaan Ali officially declared the disaster in Guyana due to flooding. The proclamation that was made briefly described the effects of the flooding including: • That on June 7th, 2021, 28,228 households were affected by flooding • Water had entered many houses • Farmland was flooded • Domestic animals, and livestock were at great risk • There was significant damage to roads and related infrastructure • Heavy rain began in May and by early June; all 10 of the administrative regions in Guyana had been affected by flooding to some degree. Water had receded in some locations but the displacement, damage and disruption were extensive. Dozens of displaced persons were being accommodated in emergency shelters. Flooding was still extensive in some regions; 29,322 households were affected by June 10th. The Government sought approval from the National Assembly on Monday, June 14th for a $10 billion supplementary budget allocation to respond to the challenges brought by the floods, especially to provide relief to affected persons. The supplementary financing will also be used to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods. Assistance will be given to farmers, miners and families whose livelihoods were destroyed in the series of flood events. The Department of Public Information in Guyana reported that The National Assembly on Monday, June 14th approved the passage of $23 billion to be used for a series of relief measures for the countrywide flood and the continued COVID-19 response. Continues on next page 11
12 Publizr Home