-Ministry employing measures to bring relief

Indigenous villages in Region nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo) are being hit severely with an ongoing dry weather season which is posing significant challenges for the villages and communities in that region.This was according to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs in a statement yesterday, where it was noted that there has been little or no rainfall in the Rupununi over the last sixteen weeks.
“Ponds have dried up and shallow hand dug wells are low on water while some have gone dry. In some places the rivers have also dried up due to the scorching heat and zero rainfall” the statement said.
According to the Ministry, the Deep-South villages of Shea, Aishalton, Karaudarnauwa and Achawib are carefully monitoring their agricultural crops. The Village leaders have placed priority on the health and education sectors it terms of the water distribution plan.
In the South Pakaraimas, Yorong Peru, Paipang, Taushida, Tiger Pond and Rukumuta are experiencing extreme difficulties as a result of the prolonged dry season. These communities, the Ministry said, are currently receiving support from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the village of Karasabai. It was revealed that water is being transported in tanks from Karasabai with the assistance from the CDC.
But in the North Rupununi, the situation is somewhat more favourable since the Rupununi River still has a fair level of water. However, at Rewa and Crash Water crossings, the water has dried up. And according to the Ministry, in the North Rupununi as in the Deep-South, the Health and Education sectors are being given priority in the water distribution plan.
Meanwhile, the South Central area has been without rainfall for at least thirteen weeks. It was noted that the Rupununi River in this area has partially dried up. As such, the Villages of Baitoon and Shulinab are carefully monitoring the water levels in their wells. River water is being used to supplement the scarce well water.
However, in the Central Rupununi district, the situation is also somewhat favourable. Although low, water levels in the wells are still adequate for the Village needs. But, according to the Ministry, the threat to agricultural crops is worrying. The Villages of Nappi, Kumu, Moco Moco, Simonie, Marcanata continue to ration their water supplies. “The Kumu and Moco-Moco creeks are fast drying up; the Kumu falls has already run dry” the statement added.
And given this challenging situation in this part of Guyana, the Ministry has sought to employ a number of measures to bring relief to the Indigenous Peoples who are suffering from these natural occurrences. These include;

> A public awareness campaign on water conservation and health related issues is currently in action.
> Frequent reports from Regional Councillors, Community Health Workers and Village Toshaos are being received at Lethem regarding the situation in the Villages.
> Differently able and Senior Citizens are being carefully monitored and are the subject of frequent reports.
> The Regional Health authorities are on high alert for possible health challenges which could arise.
> Agriculture Extension Officers are also on high alert as the effects of the extreme dry conditions continue to affect the Region’s food production.
> Village leaders have put measures in place to prevent the poisoning of creeks, streams and rivers for the harvesting of fish.
> Bathing in creeks is now prohibited.
> Villages are cleaning and increasing the depth of hand dug wells.
> The Risk Reduction Management Centre and the CDC have provided a number of 450 gallons water tanks and water pumps to aid in water distribution.
> Water purification tablets, one gallon water bottles and water pumps are being sourced.
> Plans are being formulated to address possible food shortage in the event of a further prolonged dry spell.
> The Guyana International Mission has commenced work on the construction of fifteen wells in the North Rupununi District. This is a humanitarian effort by The Full Gospel Fellowship, a charitable group based in Region One working to bring much needed relief to the Residents of Region Nine.
> Additional wells could be sunk in other parts of the Region by the same group contingent upon the availability of the requisite resources.
> The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has recommended that the water harvesting project at the J.R Ranch at Manari in the Central Rupununi District be studied with a view to replicating it for the benefit of Indigenous Villages and communities in the Region.