December 7, 2016: On Friday December 2, 2016, over one hundred (100) residents benefitted from the distribution of kerosene lamps in the communities of Grand Rivere, St Helena and Matelot.
The St Helena (Matelot) Community Centre, which was officially opened by Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly on November 22, 2016, was used as an emergency shelter where more than thirty-nine (39) families were able to seek shelter and receive hot meals.
These relief efforts were made possible through the work of the St Andrew/St David Community Development Division, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. Officers of the Community Development Division contacted the various village councils in the community to determine the needs within the community after residents experienced floods and major infrastructure damage as a result of heavy winds and excessive rains on Wednesday 30th December, 2016.
Since Friday, the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation have been working in collaboration to give aid to the affected north-eastern communities. Staff of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts contacted community representatives to find out the needs of the communities. They also worked closely with the first responders to ensure that mattresses, cots and food supplies were delivered to the most vulnerable persons in the communities.
According to Mrs Susan Corbett – Director, Community Development Division, “The work we do as the Community Development Division is all-encompassing as it pertains to meeting the needs of communities. We have helped in the past in similar situations as we have a relationship with the communities we serve. We will continue to assist in the process of building and supporting communities.”
The staff of the St Andrew/St David Community Development Division have committed to lending assistance and support to the communities until all refurbishment work has been completed in the area.
The Community Development Division of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts provides holistic people-centred projects, programmes and services to all communities in the national development process. The Division has nine (9) district offices across Trinidad and contributes to the social, cultural and economic and political well-being of communities.
Staff of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts chat with residents of the Bacasa community in Matelot.
Paula Garcia, Community Development Officer II, St. Andrew/St. David District, Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts (2nd from Left) assists in distributing the mattresses, cots, food items courtesy the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management.
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For further information please contact:
The Communications Unit
Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts
868-624-5004 Ext. 5140/5147