Dear EDITOR,
THE recent inundation at Anna Catherina, Corneilia Ida, Leonora, Stewartville and Uitvlugt, Essequibo Islands / West Demerara has left many citizens in discomfort as they are slowly bringing themselves back to normalcy, but the response mechanism that was activated during this ordeal is worth recognition.

The Civil Defence Commission, headed by Lt. Col. Craig along with Major Welcome and Lt. Persaud, joined officials of the Regional Administration on that sad Friday morning, visited all the affected areas, coordinated emergency responses, advised residents of necessary precautions and opened emergency shelters for affected and displaced residents. Later that very morning, the Guyana Fire Service (Leonora Branch) came out in their numbers and assisted the staff at Leonora Comprehensive Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (Cottage Hospital) with the clean-up exercise. The Guyana Police Force ‘D’ Division under the stewardship of Commander Rishie Dass also came out in their numbers to lend support. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) engineer, Mr Lall, stood with us throughout and Mr Mana of GUYSUCO quickly responded in the affirmative when approval was needed to use the Community Centre as a shelter and their staff prepared the meals (3 times a day) for the occupants at the shelter. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure CORE (Charlene and team) and the sea defence department were also with us throughout the ordeal. I believe the CORE groups that came from West Berbice, East Bank Demerara, Essequibo Coast and Leguan deserve a special thank you and I therefore offer it here unconditionally.

Editor, seven Ministers of Government (Ministers Karen Cummings, Annette Ferguson, Ronald Bulkan, Carl Greenidge (who was acting Prime Minister at the time), Raphael Trotman, Joseph Harmon and David Patterson) visited the affected communities and every time one showed up, decisions were taken on the spot to complement the already existing system, thus making the citizens more comfortable. Close to five hundred homes were attended to by the team that responded to this unfortunate natural disaster and the Regional Administration is very thankful to all who played a role.

Editor, the response was tremendous and it proves beyond all shadows of doubt that the Regional Administration has a powerful, effective, efficient and well-coordinated response mechanism in place. The Government of Guyana through the Regional Administration headed by Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran, along with all the other players did well and even though the NDCs of the areas limited their participation, we are still thankful for their intermittent presence.

Regards
Ganesh Mahipaul
Regional Information Officer