Kamla seek House leave to discuss government failure to adequately deal with the aftermath of Bret
The government has failed to address the flooding, destruction, devastation and damage that was inflicted on the population by Tropical Storm Bret. The areas that have suffered the catastrophic effects of Tropical Storm Bret are concentrated in the southern, central and eastern parts of our country. Families have lost all of their personal belongings and household items. Farming communities have been virtually wiped out, both crops and livestock. The citizens who live in these areas are desperate and helpless and have no choice but to depend upon the government for relief which has not been forthcoming. The relief thus far has been inadequate, unsatisfactory, lacking and in most areas nonexistent.
This matter needs to be addressed urgently because the suffering and hardship that has been visited upon the citizens of our country by Bret is increasing with each passing day. People are unable to provide food for their families. Homes in entire areas have been destroyed, others have been flooded out and people remain marooned in some areas without any assistance from the government. There is an urgent need to provide water and basic food supplies to the persons living in these areas. Families need urgent help to clean their homes and drain it of contaminated water, debris and silt that have been brought with the floods. Rivers, drains and waterways need to be immediately cleared and cleaned to provide flood relief to these areas. Men, women and children who live in these areas which were flooded are now at risk of contracting diseases because of the contaminated water that has entered these areas. This risk increases with each passing day.
There are tens of thousands of families who are presently suffering as a result of the destruction and flooding that has resulted from tropical storm Bret. The lives of our citizens are being put at a greater risk with each passing day. The suffering and hardship of those affected increases daily. People are crying out for help and, though the Regional Corporations have attempted to provide as much assistance as they can, the resources that are available to them are woefully inadequate. Children in these areas are unable to resume school, people are unable to return to work and businesses have been unable to reopen. The responsibility to provide assistance to these citizens rests with the government. Tropical storm Bret has transformed the affected parts of our country into disaster virtual zones and the suffering that has been inflicted on our people is immeasurable and colossal. The government has a responsibility to provide relief to all of the affected areas and to treat with this natural disaster with the priority that it demands. Our citizens deserve nothing less.
I call upon the government to act now!!