Government's response to recent flooding fell down on co-ordination and responses on the human side of the disaster, Opposition Leader Keith Rowley said yesterday. At PNM's weekly media briefing, he added: "There was tremendous confusion on the response to the human side of the disaster." He said what happened in the overall situation should be reviewed dispassionately since T&T was really not prepared to respond to any natural disaster.
Rowley said while there were local agencies to respond... "we fell short on the co-ordination and I question the effectiveness of the Office of Disaster Preparedness Management. "I?cannot point to any significant involvement in responding to the Diego Martin situation," he added. He said areas which fell short had to do with treating with people who survived the disaster and were dislocated and required help. He noted a situation where cots and mattresses were needed and were not supplied until 24 hours later.