-Minister Manickchand
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, in an update on the fire that destroyed the upper flat of the Ministry’s Drop-in Center, said that Government is committed to improving the lives of the vulnerable and is moving to have repairs to the building done shortly.
Her comments came yesterday while updating media operatives at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) office, on the status of the Drop-in Center where the upper flat was destroyed by fire Saturday last. She said as soon as the Guyana Fire Service completes all necessary investigations, the Ministry will commence work on the building.
She noted that thus far the children are in a normal environment and Government is aiming to have them back in school within two days.
“They will be back in school very soon. Of course we have some purchasing to do but their biggest concern right now is that they have lost their possessions. That is understandable, I understand from professional counsellors that would be one of the uppermost feelings in their minds right now; so on the Government level, we are trying to make them comfortable even with regard to the possessions they have lost.”
Minister Manickchand noted that the children who are currently housed at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Sophia training complex are “fine” in terms of their medical status.
The Drop-in Center, Hadfield Street, housed 45 children ranging in age from 11 to 17.
Additionally, Minister Manickchand, while responding to the Febrauary 13 fire in Albouystown, which left a couple homeless, said that Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir, while on the scene of the fire, gave his support to the family.
She is reminding citizens that help can be issued to persons struck by disasters through the ‘Difficult Circumstances Unit’ established as an arm of the Ministry of Human Services.
“This unit is accessible and available for assistance; additionally, the Guyana Relief Council, which is very proactive in its assistance to victims of tragedies, also assists in a meaningful way and is fully supported by Government,” she said. (GINA)