Flooding, COVID-19 threat leave Masakenari villagers reeling

-Toshao says in need of bare necessities

Although advised by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA) and other organisations to stay at Masakenari, in Region Nine, flood-affected residents who lack basic necessities don’t see this as a viable option, according to Toshao Paul Chekema.

Chekema told Stabroek News that the MoIPA and various organisations have contacted him and warned that due to the danger of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) residents should not leave their community at the moment.

The Toshao said that he passed on the message to the rest of the community and they have agreed.

However, following recent flooding, which led to most of their crops being damaged, they are having second thoughts.

The Ministry along with the Civil Defence Commission donated food supplies to the families that were affected as a result of the flooding at the end of last month.

Chekema said that during that time he had pleaded for cleaning supplies and basic necessities for the community but up to date they haven’t received any.

“Only our important needs we long for right now. We need cleaning supplies and other basic necessities. Because of the COVID-19, we were asked to stay in our community so we can’t go out to the savannah to do shopping. I also hear that the roads are locked down and the village shop is empty and bare right now,” Chekema stated.

“The ministry and other organisation send message to us, that’s why we don’t go anywhere. So now we don’t know how we will get our needs or if they will try to help us,” he added.

However, he stated that with rain continuing to fall, the villagers will probably have to risk leaving the community to purchase needed items.