The Government of Guyana is seeking $10B to provide “relief, repair and recovery” initiatives to persons affected by the recent floods. This sum, however, is “just an initial” figure, and the administration will likely return for additional monies in the future, Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips told the Committee of Supply during the 29th Sitting of the National Assembly last evening.
He said that the monies will cater for relief to over 30,000 households in 300-plus communities, and remedial works to damaged infrastructure. He disclosed that the government will have to “feed everyone in over 180 communities in the hinterland because their farms have been affected by the flood”. He added that these residents will have to be provided for until they can sow and reap their crops.
Given the substantial amount being sought, Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) grilled the PM about the methodology used to arrive at the figure.
PM Phillips said that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is still conducting its damage assessment, and the $10B being sought was arrived at “based on what was noticed during visits” to affected communities. This assessment, he said, will guide further government intervention.
The rainfall for May 2021 is the second-highest recorded in 40 years, the PM said during last Thursday’s sitting.
