Gov’t promises to continue to fund temporary accommodation for displaced

Dozens of displaced Barbadians will continue to be accommodated in guest houses and private homes across the country at the expense of Government.

This was the assurance from Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde who revealed that already, persons had travelled significant distances in search of available spaces at some of the country’s hurricane shelters.

“I understand that there is a couple from Boscobelle, [St Andrew]  at the Lester Vaughan School, because the one that they were going to is so overcrowded. That is an elderly couple and they too need help,” Forde told Barbados TODAY on Friday, as she surveyed the damage at Sturges, St. Thomas left  in the aftermath of Hurricane Elsa.

Following on from the ‘freak storm’ that damaged homes more than two weeks ago, Forde promised that rented facilities would continue to be used as a temporary measure. Additionally, she promised food vouchers, clothing, furniture and beds would also be provided by the Welfare Department as persons attempt to get back on their feet.

“There are a couple guest houses that we have arrangements with and once we find families that are stranded, we make the connection and more often than not, we are able to use them,” explained Minister Forde.

“Or, I make it my business to call some of my colleagues who are in the system, who know people who have guest houses, and ask them to share the information with us so that our Chief Welfare Officer can make the necessary contact, and if it’s two or three days, we pay the accommodation.

“Last night we had two of our social workers who would have been at the Department of Emergency Management office in Warrens – Rose Gittens and Wayne Nurse, so that when all of these calls came through they could start to document,” Forde said.

Prior to the passage of the tropical cyclone, Acting Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson revealed that 33 category 1 hurricane shelters would be available to members of the public during the hurricane and that others would be added to the list once the all clear is given.

During the passage of Hurricane Elsa, the number of persons seeking shelter peaked at 66 persons, but this was expected to fall once the system was no longer a threat.

Meanwhile, Minister Forde urged her Cabinet colleagues tasked with facilitating long-term assistance, to carry out their tasks impartially.

“I have every confidence that this Government, through the Rural and Urban Development Commission, as well as through the Ministry of Housing and Lands will make sure that we help everybody else and it cannot be similar to what happened in Tomas,” Minister Forde declared.

“I don’t like the tribalism in the political arena when it comes to that. Once people have needs, this government will look after them. We are not separating anybody with any politics or anything. We are not looking at what religion or other persuasion you have,” she concluded.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)