Newborn Among Sangre Grande Residents Left Without Shelter After Severe Weather
A newborn baby is among several residents left without shelter and electricity in Sangre Grande, after Thursday’s severe weather caused widespread damage.
Heavy rains and strong winds damaged several homes, forcing some families to seek temporary accommodation.
The extent of the damage is currently being assessed, with more than 30 reports received by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
Among those providing assistance is MP for Toco/Sangre Grande, Wayne Sturge, who has coordinated relief and relocation efforts for residents as recovery efforts get underway.
One affected resident, Denise Joshua Sakaram, a single mother and grandmother to a 14-day-old baby boy, recounted her family’s harrowing experience during the storm on Thursday.
« All of us go in the other room because this is not looking like the rain that we usually have. As we left the bedroom and entered the other room, the wind was so strong that it ripped off the room as soon as we left, the wall collapsed on the bed, and the bed was mashed up as well. »
Temporary accommodation is being provided for the family of six at the Member of Parliament’s Sangre Grande office.
« We are housing the 12-day-old baby and her family here due to the fact that there would be more than one family house at the civic centre, and we didn’t want to risk putting the baby’s health in jeopardy. That’s why we decided to house this family here in particular, and anyone affected can go the civic centre and you will be housed there. »
Another resident affected by Thursday’s heavy rains is Amila Sookoo, whose home also sustained significant damage.
« The mattresses and the beds damaged, the child’s stationery and books are damaged, wardrobes. I think one of the TVs is damaged, and that is basically what we could see right now. We don’t have electricity, so we can’t plug in electricity to see what’s coming on, anything like that, and what’s installed, and we need electricity. The roof took the electricity all the way out with it. »
Similarly, Mary Parrish says her home was also left exposed after the heavy rains, with damage to the bathroom and bedroom.
« My bathroom has no cover. When I go in the bathroom right now, it’s only sunlight on my head. And a lot of broken things. If you go inside there, it’s only sunlight and open air in my bathroom. So if the rain falls now, it’s flooded all on the floor in my room. The bedroom is water. I don’t know how to start right now. I’m so confused, you know. So I’m in a very terrible situation in which I need urgent assistance. »
During his visit to affected areas in Sangre Grande, Minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Alexander said government agencies are coordinating with the area’s Member of Parliament to determine how best to respond.
« We’re going to wait until the Member of Parliament also is in the conversation, the honourable Wayne Sturge, and together that team will decide who is going to do what, and all of our teams bring resources to the table, so we will use our resources where necessary. »
For these families, the priority now is getting their homes repaired and restoring basic necessities, including electricity and adequate shelter.
