FOLLOWING reports of extreme flooding within the Pomeroon, the business community on the Essequibo Coast continues to lend support to residents in need of basic food supplies.

The Gaulin Supermarket has donated 100 food hampers to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Those hampers, upon receipt, were immediately shipped out to the homes of affected residents living along the banks in the Pomeroon.

The Gaulin Supermarket is the largest supermarket in Charity, on the Essequibo Coast, and operates under the Adamantium Holdings. During a brief hand over recently, Chairperson of Region Two, Vilma De Silva, expressed gratitude for the kind gesture.

The Pomeroon is still severely affected, following days of heavy rainfall, complemented by extreme high tides. While the Coastland recorded minor flooding in most areas, the Pomeroon recorded water levels that reached as much as five feet in some areas.

Since most persons rely on farming within the Pomeroon, their entire livelihoods were washed away with the flood. Savitree Tulsiedass, who is the Chairperson of the Nile/Cozier Neighborhood Democratic Council, said that over three hundred farmers were affected within her constituency.

Tulsiedass explained that persons even lost cattle, poultry and other livestock, due to the flood. She said that the hampers were indeed a timely gesture, as they will assist many residents, who are unable to cope financially during this time.

The Regional Chairman shared similar sentiments, as she said, “this timely gesture, because as you know this is a flood season and the entire Pomeroon has been flooded… each household will benefit from one hamper … So far, some farmers still have water on land, water has not yet receded over the past six days. A team will be going out to conduct further assessment for possible outbreak of diseases.”

Each hamper reportedly contained basic food items, some of which included rice, oil, flour and milk.