Flood and food shortage hit Region Nine hard

CHILDREN COLLAPSE AND FAINTED IN SCHOOLS FROM HUNGER in 1997/1998
triggered by severe drought, but now there are fears that flood-related decimation of
agricultural crops, including cassava, a staple in Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo (Region
Nine) opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Vincent Henry said that there are fears that
similar effects may occur.
“I was then the Regional Vice Chairman (Mr. Bertie Xavier) and we saw our children falling
down and fainting in schools because of hunger. As a matter of fact, because it was a severe dry
season, it destroyed all the cassava crops,” the A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For
Change (APNU+AFC) legislator said.
Henry reminded that in the interior community neighbouring South American giant, Brazil,
“residents practically live on it (cassava) every day” and the destruction of the crops can have
grave consequences for Region Nine communities, especially the various tribes of Amerindians.
“I too love the farine, because it is very tasty, very nourishing and it keeps you from hunger for
very long periods. Whenever we have severe floods and drought our crops are destroyed and we
end up suffering,” the opposition legislator explained.
Flood waters in Region Nine have not yet been abating in several affected communities, Henry
said, praising the Disaster Preparedness Committee for plunging itself into action.
“Up to now the water is still very high. It is up to a place called Red Hill, it’s like a big lake of
water going back and flowing very fast. It was also in the village and some eight households
were affected. The residents are calling for urgent assistance from the authorities. Hopefully
something will be done for them in terms of food assistance and (household detergents) to clean
their houses as a result of this flood,” MP Henry said.
The parliamentarian also spoke of a similar situation in Sand Creek, noting because the
community forms part of the Rupununi River, the flooding is usually very severe.

“We recently had big floods in the South Rupununi and many of our farmers were affected. This
flooding doesn’t happen every year, but periodically. When it happens, it would cause a lot of
distress to residents, for example in Caranawau, many of the farms were flooded. I spoke to the
Toshao this morning and he said that an assessment will be done so that a report can be
forwarded to the relevant authorities for immediate action,” Henry explained.
He said Lethem, the main town and commercial area is also facing immediate flood threats with
waters some three feet high before it reaches land from the Takutu River. This, he said, will be
disastrous for several locations within the township.
“When I left, I was informed by the Councillor that the water is rushing very quickly and I made
some calls via Facebook for the authorities to get their act together,” the exasperated MP said.
He demands preemptive actions.
“Do not wait after-the-fact to take action, but rather start taking action by mobilising now,” the
legislator counselled.
“I noticed this morning that there was some Disaster Preparedness community meeting and I
realised that certain things are (finally) being put in place. I hope that they would be able to
respond rapidly to the issues and to the problems and to help our residents overcome this threat
that is confronting us right now and be able to get over it in the future,” MP Henry said.
Region Nine is a flood-and-drought-prone area. Henry recalled their painful 1997/1998 El Nino
experience which he described as “one of the worst experiences residents faced”.
The prolonged and severe 1997/98 drought resulted in grave food shortages and the
accompanying suffering endured by its 24,000 residents, Henry reminded.