While the Government has approved a $30 million fund for assistance to flood victims, people in hard-hit areas in south Trinidad are still clamouring for assistance.
Some people who applied for grants in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Brett were still waiting on assistance when they were further flooded during excessive rains last month.
The fund is accessed by the Ministry of Social Development for direct grants, the Ministry of Works and Transport to fund work such as clearing of landslides, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Last week, the Guardian spoke to chairmen from regional corporations in south Trinidad who raised concerns about the Central Government’s response to flooding in their region.
The chairmen, in separate interviews, said the situation was further compounded by confusion over assistance to victims from the Ministry of Social Development because of a lack of communication with regional corporations.
The process being followed involves the disaster management unit of each corporation submitting a list to the ministry, with no feedback being forwarded to the corporations.
380 homes damaged in Princes Town
Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine said there were more people from his region affected during the period of excessive rainfall in October than during Tropical Storm Brett.
“This time there were more people affected and more homes flooded out. We have confirmed, visited by the disaster unit, that 380 homes would have been damaged during the rainfall. In June, that number was less than 300,” Roopnarine said.
Roopnarine said he had very little information from Central Government on how citizens would be given assistance.
“Most of the assistance came from private citizens. Our disaster unit submitted a list to Social Development Ministry but we haven’t received feedback yet.
“People are still waiting to see. Every single day people come to my office looking for help. How many business people can we beg to handle the situation. I am speaking for Princes Town region. I am totally disappointed with the response.
“Not one single watercourse in the Barrackpore area was cleaned or dredged during the five-month period between Brett and the excessive flooding. If they had, maybe the flooding would have been less.
No help from any ministry —Siparia chairman
Siparia Regional Corporation Chairman Glenn Ramadharsingh said people have not received help from Social Development or any other ministry.
“They put out a press release that 76 people got cheques but none of the residents of Woodland got cheques. Up to today, there are residents living with tarpaulin in their home, over their heads.
“We asked for names, we didn’t get it. We asked for them to identify who is getting help and they have not responded. It doesn’t matter any more, the people of Woodland believe they would not get help.
“We are going to push these applications and I will, it is total unfairness, inequity and is not the kind of social assistance programme we are having. I am working the system, I have sent forms and we will take them personally to the ministry.”
No response from Social Development minister
Several attempts to contact the Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn via her mobile phone were ignored. Text messages to the minister’s phone received no responses.
Payments for Brett
Earlier this year, following Tropical Storm Brett, the National Commission for Self Help Ltd in responding to queries from the Guardian, said it had approved payments totalling $2.47 million to 20 affected constituencies, with Diego Martin Central receiving the highest number of grants given, 18 at a value of $330,000. While questions were sent to Judith Khan at the Social Development Ministry on August 2, no information was forwarded.