The
flooding situation in Guyana is worsening with each passing
day as torrential rains continue to drench the country. Over
200,000 have been affected by the rising waters, caused by incessant
rains since December 26, 2004.
At least six people have died in the floods, while many have
been forced to seek shelter on higher ground. There is increasing
concern about the spread of disease.
“We have reports of children suffering from diarrhoea,
skin diseases, vomiting and coughs and colds,” said Dorothy
Fraser, director general of the Guyana Red Cross. She noted
that while local health centres and hospitals were trying to
reducing the impact of diseases, they had very limited medical
supplies and were also flooded.
More than 40 inches of rain have fallen since December 26, the
heaviest recorded rainfall since 1888, forcing thousands of
people from their homes in the capital region of Georgetown.
The areas under water are mainly from Golden Grove to Georgetown
and the most affected communities are Albouystown, Shopia, Better
Hope, Coldingen, Enterprise Gardens, Paradise and Enmore which
are located in eastern regions 1, 4, 5 and 6. At least three
off the ten administrative regions in the country have been
declared disaster zones.
There have also been reports of confusion in some villages like
Pouderoyen, where residents are protesting because shelters
are filled to capacity. Anxious residents of Canal Numbers
One and Two on the West Bank Demerara are fearful that a dam
which separates a reservoir from their homes could give way.
The dam has begun to wear thin as the water spills over the
top.
Residents of both villages have banded together to prop up the
worn sections, but there is still a lot more work to be done
to prevent the dams from bursting.
Fraser said the Guyana Red Cross was trying desperately to evacuate
as many people as they could from the affected regions. “We
have a total of about 30 people at the Red Cross shelter and
the number keeps on climbing. We are feeding these people and
assisting them as much as we can.”
The Guyana Red Cross is also trying to distribute food to some
of the most vulnerable in the communities. Fraser noted that
they were hoping to feed and support at least 6,000 families
over the weekend.
The International Federation launched an emergency appeal for
2 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.7 million) on 24 January to assist
the Guyana Red Cross with its relief operations. Its Pan-American
Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) had already sent a flight into
Guyana on 21 January with 21 tonnes of relief items, including
blankets, hygiene kits, collapsible jerry cans, tarpaulins and
kitchen sets.
“The flooding has reached crisis stage now. The Red Cross
is working overtime and at full capacity. We have many people
from both private sectors and non-governmental organizations
assisting us, but if the rains continue there will be trouble,”
Fraser warned.
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