Questioning when the Government’s $25M relief fund will kick in, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on members of the public to donate relief items to flood and storm-affected citizens. Persad-Bissessar was speaking during a media briefing at the Fun Splash Water Park in Debe, where the UNC MPs, senators and chairmen of opposition-controlled regional corporations met for an all-day Strategic Planning Session.
“It is very clear that the Government has collapsed, it is very clear that the Government in the wake of tropical storm Bret has failed and/or neglected to adequately provide for citizens in our country, especially in badly affected areas,” Persad-Bissessar said.
“We will be establishing emergency collection centres for persons who wish to donate in the relief for those who suffered in the storm. These centres...we will start first with the party headquarters in Couva. We are also asking good Samaritans to donate relief items.”
She said in those areas where the regional corporations were UNC-led (the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, the Princes Town Regional Corporation, the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, the Siparia Regional Corporation and the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation) donations can be dropped off at the the respective offices. The party would be setting up special collection centres in all other areas.
She said despite the Government’s announcement of a relief fund, there are many questions as to how the fund would operate.
“While the Government has announced a $25M fund, and this was long after we had called for that, the problem is that we still have no idea how, what, when why, where those funds will be distributed.
“I am told that certain corporations have been told to go out there and give whatever relief they can. But those corporations have no money sitting in their coffers which they can expend. Therefore, Government cannot simply announce the fund without instructing various corporations as to deposits from that $25M. So, we will continue with our relief efforts and I am calling upon those who are willing to assist.”
The party will also be sending medical teams to assist and assess flood-hit areas, Persad-Bissessar said.
“There is a need for medical teams out in the flood-affected areas. Thus far, the Government has not seen it fit to issue one public health advisory and therefore we are going to get medical teams of volunteers.”
She also called for international assistance as she said two organisations outside of the country have contacted the UNC to offer help to flood victims.
“We are also issuing an international SOS for kind persons outside of Trinidad and Tobago who are willing to assist. Already, two organisations have contacted us and they are going to be engaged in efforts outside of Trinidad and Tobago to bring relief to us here in T&T.”