THE relief effort in flood hit Regions is in full swing, Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup reported yesterday. Heavy rains lashed Regions 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10(Upper Demerara/Berbice) under water and, in the latter, some 150 families at Kwakwani Waterfront, Lamp Island and Rockstone were affected while, in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), there was flooding in East Canje and Upper Corentyne.
Ramsarup told the Guyana Chronicle that two truckloads of 28-day ration packs were being dispatched to Annai and Karasabai in Region 9, which suffered the worst floods in decades.
He added that another two truckloads of supplies are expected to be sent to Lethem, in the southern savannah areas, also in Rupununi, Region Nine.
According to him, particularly cooking gas, which is sourced from neighbouring Brazil, is available in that Region, although at a higher price.
“The roads in Regions 9 and 10 are in relatively good condition. In Region 10, the Linden to Ituni stretch is bad but from there to Kwakwani is passable,” Ramsarup said.
He said one hundred and fifty 14-day ration packs will be transported to those affected in Kwakwani Waterfront and Lamp Island.
“At present, I am awaiting a report from the Region Six Chairman before we take action in that area. But we are expected to have 14-day ration packs to be sent to the East Canje area,” Ramsarup said.
He said collaborating government agencies and other stakeholders are working to support those affected.
Region Nine Chairman, Mr. Clarendo Lucas disclosed that they are interviewing persons to access financial support being offered by Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).
“The impact here is great and we are doing all we can to assist those affected. We are grateful for GBTI’s support, because it will help, in a great way, those who were affected, especially farmers whose crops suffered,” Lucas said.
GBTI is offering financing at a six percent interest rate with no collateral requirement, which is expected to augment the massive effort by the government to ensure assistance to the affected.

NOT EVERYONE
Lucas pointed out, however, that not everyone is returning to their normal routine.
“We are weighing the circumstances and taking precautions. We expect the flood waters to return at some point because we are not out of the rainy season yet. Some persons are returning to their activities, but others are prepared to wait before they move forward,” he observed.
In doing so, Lucas said some residents, in particular those in Tatabinga area, have requested support to move to higher grounds.
He explained that their requests for relocation were forwarded to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and he is hoping for responses soon.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) in Region Ten, Mr. Devon Bremner said flood victims are coping and returning to their regular routines.
“The water in Kwakwani has receded somewhat and the roads are passable. Lamp Island is still under water in some parts but, generally, assistance is coming in and people are returning to their regular activities,” he said.
Bremner said supplies are reaching those affected but, with the receding of the flood waters, the health problems have begun to surface, particularly the issue of vector control.
He said the weekly medical outreaches continue and residents are supported through public awareness to guard against major health problems.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and a team of technical officers from the Ministry, with support from other agencies, will host a workshop for farmers/residents at Lethem Amerindian Hostel on Friday, June 24.
In a statement to the media, the ministry indicated that it has already dispatched additional technical personnel and supplies to the affected areas and is, currently, implementing a recovery programme to ensure communities return to a state of normalcy.
The statement added that it will be executing workshops across Region Nine, with the focus on the implementation of a recovery plan expected to address the submission of reports from officers who were previously assigned to undertake needs assessments of farmers/residents.
Toshaos, farmers and regional officers are the targets of the workshops and are to give their input and guidance to the efforts.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and other support agencies remain committed to ensuring food security in communities affected by the recent flooding and the urgent implementation of a recovery programme,” the statement said.
The most recent hydromet report indicates that the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is across central Guyana, in Regions 6, 10, 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and  8 (Potaro/Siparuni).