PM orders relief for victims of weekend floods

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Sunday said on national television the government will do everything possible to make sure all citizens affected by weekend flooding in the country's north west get assistance in the shortest possible time.

In an address to the nation, she said she and a team of cabinet ministers conducted a tour of affected areas again Sunday and saw first hand the misery and suffered caused by the heavy rains, which she said was worse than anything the country had ever seen.

She noted that within a two-hour period, four inches of rain fell, causing severe damage and taking two lives. She again expressed her sympathy for the families of those who lost loved ones and at the same time commended all the personnel within the various agencies that responded promptly to help.

Persad-Bissessar also stated that the disaster has brought out in citizens a sense of neighbourliness and comradarie that was most welcome. She said even victims of the flooding were assisting one another deal with the tragedy.

The Prime Minister said all agencies are working closely to provide assistance to everyone who needs it and urged anyone who needs help to call 511. 

She also said the relief agencies would be setting up an special hotline to receive feedback on what is taking place on the ground. In addition, she said she would continue to monitor what is happening and she has asked relief personnel and agencies to keep her advised during the day on developments.