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Flood victims still awaiting Ministry of Social Development cheques

Loop News

November 18, 2017 2:30 AM ET

2 mins read

Couva North MP, the Honourable Ramona Ramdial has said that she is concerned over the failure of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services and Minister Cheryl-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn to distribute flood compensation cheques to the 150 families devastated by the recent floods in Couva North constituency one month ago.

According to a statement released on Friday, Ramdial said that most of the flood victims have not been visited by the officers from the Ministry to verify their losses at any time in the month since the severe flooding.

“The sad reality of these unfortunate constituents is that most of them lost household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washing machines and are in need of compensation monies to purchase these appliances as soon as possible. In some instances, families who were evacuated from their homes during the floods have not returned due to this unacceptable delay in compensation,” she said.

She continued, “This inaction and incompetence demonstrated on the part of the Ministry and Minister is by no means a surprise. Minister Crichlow-Cockburn should know better and put the processing of flood compensation cheques to the front burner of her Ministry’s duties at this time. She is reminded that thousands of families were devastated by this flood disaster and as NGOs, CBOs and private citizens continue to assist with relief efforts, the government seems to be missing in action.” 

Ramdial called on Minister Crichlow-Cockburn to expedite the verification of losses of flood victims and the processing of their flood compensation cheques to provide relief as soon as possible.