— in light of freak storm that hit Linden

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 has launched a community disaster risk management committee in light of recent freak storms and heavy rains that flooded various communities in the mining town of Linden
The committee aims to mitigate the risks associated with impromptu disasters as well as to provide the necessary aid in eventuality of same.
It comprises a number of stakeholders in the region including the electricity companies, the Guyana Water Incorporated, regional representatives, Bosai Minerals Incorporated, the Guyana Police Force and Fire Service, social services and the Linden Chamber of Commerce.

The representatives present were further broken up into sub-committees, namely agriculture and sustainable livelihoods; fire, security and electricity; women, education and social services; and communication and health.
A seven-man command centre was also established, which in case of disaster, will be located at the RDC.
Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who chaired the first meeting, explained that over the past few months Region 10 has experienced devastation from the elements and therefore such a committee is important in preparing for future disasters, something that the region has lacked over the years.

He revealed that as a result of the freak storm last week, the roofs of 25 homes and several government buildings in the Blue Berry Hill area were blown off.
The RDC as well as other key players were unable to bring urgent assistance to residents as a result of the lack of preparedness and the lack of funds.
“We got to do something to put our house in order… this has propelled us out of the RDC to look at what we can do collectively,” Morian said.
He revealed that for the Wismar Christianburg Secondary School to be repaired earliest, funds had to be taken from another project.

And because of this, the chairman rallied for a disaster emergency fund to be included into the region’s budget since communities are vulnerable when the regional authorities have no monies to offer immediate assistance.

The committee will also be looking at ways in which disasters can be prevented and sensitisation programmes placed on the front burner. One of the preventative strategies outlined is to have residents cut down trees close to their homes, since over the past few weeks many trees fell on houses, during the heavy winds and freak storms.
Programmes to aid persons in knowing basic first aid skills as well as reintegrating the drilling systems into schools were also discussed.

This programme will also include players in the region’s riverain and hinterland communities and the establishment of frequencies was discussed.
During the discussion, representatives spoke of the need for training for the various types of disasters so as to provide effective and urgent aid when necessary. Morian also suggested permanent staff for the command centre, pointing out that they will play a pivotal role in the coordination of relief efforts.
The establishment of a shelter and first responders was highlighted by Regional Health Officer Pansy Armstrong and Bosai and Guyana Police Force ‘E’ Division representatives pledged their full support.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland commended the initiative and pointed out that though Linden was deemed one of the safest places in Guyana, when the storm struck, this perception was challenged.
“I’m sure that we all came to that conclusion that Linden is not safe at all,” Holland said and called for central Government to push the necessary funding for disaster risk management in its yearly budget.
“If GuySuCo can get 2B, we can get 3B…,” he said. Holland also called for emergency revetment works to be done on the Wismar shore as a way of mitigating risks. Many of the hilly communities experienced flooding as well as landslides during recent rainfall and heavy winds.
Other communities that were deemed to be at risk were Coomacka, Rockstone and villages along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. In the communities of Retrieve and Richmond Hill, several homes were destroyed recently by heavy winds.
Several of the Wismar Alleys and communities along Burnham Drive were also flooded during the May/ June rains. Residents had said that their losses amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars.