STILL grappling with the effects of persistent rains and high water levels, several hinterland communities remain inundated, with these conditions becoming worrisome for farmers.
In an update on Friday, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai said that several farms within a number of hinterland communities are currently under water, leaving many counting their losses. The minister, who has been in the field distributing hampers and flood relief packages to residents, said: “The response of the government, of course, is to first secure people, and make sure that they are safe, providing support in terms of foodstuff, and ensuring, health-wise, that there is no outbreak of water-borne diseases from the aftermath of the flooding.”
At the time of the interview, Minister Sukhai could not put a number as to how many hinterland communities or farms are affected, since she is still receiving reports from the various regional authorities. However, she noted that not many reports have been made about homes being damaged, but that rather it is the farmlands and savannahs that have been gravely affected, thereby disrupting livelihoods. “Farmlands and crops are under water, and the retainment of water on the ground has affected cassava crops a lot. So, some people, like in Region Nine, are trying to take out from the ground as much as they can,” Minister Sukhai said, adding that the farms have been affected both from the rainfall and the rising water of the rivers.
She also disclosed that in some areas, flood waters have completed covered all access roads into communities, but efforts are still being made to ensure that all residents are safe and secure during the wet season.

RELIEF
Meanwhile, Region Seven Chairman, Kenneth Williams, in a separate interview, disclosed that some 300 hampers will be distributed to residents in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region who are severely affected by the floods.
“We have just received over 300 food hampers, and distribution will begin shortly,” Williams said, adding: “I am asking that residents understand that the Regional Democratic Council has been working tirelessly with the CDC to assess the current situation, and bring relief to hardest-hit residents.”
In the meantime, Williams urged residents to move to higher ground, as the regional authorities continue to assess the situation across the region.
“These historic high tides, coupled with the unrelenting rainfall have affected many hard-working families, businesses, farmlands and houses, and as Chairman, I vow to use every method available to assist our citizens in these difficult times. I’m also advising our stressed and strained residents to follow the urgent CDC guidelines; seek high ground, and be cognisant that mudslides are imminent in certain areas,” Williams said

In Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), several relief hampers have been delivered to flood-affected residents at Parikwarinawa Village in Central Rupununi.
Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock, along with other regional authorities delivered the hampers that were received from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
Flood assessment and farm visits were also conducted in the North Rupununi Sub-District Valley by staff of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).
In Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the CDC is working with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to provide flood-response support.
CDC Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Salim October; Regional Executive Officer, Peter Ramotar and others recently met to discuss ways of providing support.
Major October disclosed that given the difficulty accessing communities in the North Pakaraimas, arrangements are being put in place to acquire air transportation.
Food and cleaning hampers are expected to be distributed to residents across the region who are severely affected by the floods. They are also expected to be evacuated from their homes to shelters.