angelo.jedidiah@guardian.co.tt
National Social Development Programme Director Patricia De Leon-Henry says grant for persons who were affected by flooding in Sangre Grande last year have been completed.
However, residents say they are tired of waiting and are demanding more be done to rectify their situations.
The issues came up on Thursday as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) hosted a community symposium at North Eastern College, Sangre Grande. The event focused on coping with impact-related loss and accessing relief.
De Leon-Henry told the residents gathered, “The assessments that we have received from the regional corporation, we have processed the assessments for this region and we have actually completed the processing.”
She added, “A lot of the persons have already been paid. The ones that are outstanding are in the process of being paid. But we do have some that were rejected.”
But some residents said while they were grateful for the grants, this will not make them feel comfortable once the rainy season begins on June 1.
“The effects of Sangre Grande are going to be ongoing and my heart bleeds for persons living in Sangre Grande who will be faced with all those issues,” said former UNC councillor Nirmal Singh.
Singh claimed due to several illegal building developments and squatters, specifically along the Valencia stretch, the area continues to become increasingly prone to disastrous flooding events.
“Clearing of water courses is fine but the widening of those water channels in Sangre Grande and environs needs to be looked at,” Singh said.
According to ODPM CEO Rodney Smart, the organisation has been working throughout the year on developing its disaster risk reduction plans.
“This committee is trying to get this country to rally around the fact that disasters are going to be with us 24/7, 365 days,” Smart said.
“We want to bring a concentrated effort around disaster prevention and preparedness in the month of May, but throughout the year we are focusing on all the other things that are required. But we need to get our country focused on what is coming in June, July, August et cetera.”