‘Shameer’ dumping household waste into the canal in Shieldstown, West Berbice.

MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, in an interview last Tuesday, called for a multi-agency approach in responding to the needs of flooded communities and noted that the Environmental Health organ of the Ministry needed to take a more proactive approach.

“There should be a proactive approach taken so that we can mitigate the current problems and adapt to the changes around us,” the Minister said.

“The flood affected communities need more than just medical attention; they need to be educated on climate change and global warming so they can understand the repercussions of their actions, which is where the Environmental health team comes in,” Ramsaran said.

The Minister added that on a visit to the village Shieldstown, West Coast Berbice, he confronted a young man known as ‘Shameer’ who was dumping an entire wheelbarrow filled with household waste into the canal.

“The young man was reprimanded for his actions and was made to undo his actions while an official from the regional administration visited the residence warning the family of the penalties of such action,” Ramsaran said.

Ramsaran furthered that such actions were normal for residents in that area, but added that with collaboration between the regional administration and the Ministry of Health, such practices should cease.

“Along with emphasis on medical treatment, there must be environmental education on the long term reasons for adaptation to the global changes in climate so we can have our people aware of the increased dangers of certain actions,” he said.

Such programmes, Ramsaran noted, can only be achieved through joint efforts among all the stakeholders.

Ramsaran alluded to his visit to Regions Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) where he noted that the joint efforts of the Regional Chairmans and other members of the regional administration, along with the Ministry of Health, proved productive.

Ramsaran commended Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha who assisted the joint team in supporting the residents of East and West Berbice who were victims of flood waters, and also saw the mobilisation of the health teams in the most affected areas.

“The joint team was instrumental in taking several measures to relieve the flooding in many of the communities and took steps to facilitate pumps in the area,” Ramsaran stated. “And Chairman Mustapha was quick in his response to the need for potable water in some areas which was immediately arranged.

Ramsaran also said that in addition to these works, persons affected by the floods were given flood kits and also seen by medical teams in the area.