The ODPM, in response to requests from 5 affected Municipal Corporations, partnered with some of our key stakeholders to provide relief to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in support of the efforts of the Disaster Management Units (DMUs) of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (MRDLG), which throughout, led the response efforts. Below is a synopsis of some of the ODPM’s coordination activities:
San Juan-Laventille Regional Corporation
- Partnered with the Price Club Supermarket and SEWA TT to provide 300 meals to affected residents.
- Conducted aerial reconnaissance supported by the T&T Air Guard to provide information to the DMUs about the extent of flooding to assist their response in areas such as Warner Village, El Socorro South and Bamboo Settlement #1.
Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation
- Coordinated support with the DMU to enable the T&T Fire Service Land Search and Rescue Team to conduct dinghy rescue of 34 persons at Carli Bay.
- Coordinated with the Gran Couva Police Station and the Ministry of Works and Transport for road clearance and traffic diversions, following the occurrence of landslides along the main roadways in Gran Couva, Brasso and Mamoral.
- Provided dinghies to the Engineer Battalion, T&T Defence Force (TTDF) and T&T Fire Service to execute water rescue/extraction, within the Regional Corporation.
Tunapuna – Piarco Regional Corporation
- Coordinated with SEWA TT and ITNAC to provide 900 meals to shelters in Bamboo Settlement #2 and #3, Real Spring, Valsayn and St. Helena.
- Provided dinghies to assist the TTDF and T&T Fire Service conduct water rescue/evacuation in the Madras-St Helena districts.
- Deployed a high-water access vehicle to support the DMU operation.
- Conducted aerial reconnaissance with the T&T Air Guard to view the Estuary of the Caroni River and the areas impacted along the Caroni River Basin.
- Coordinated with Eniath’s Printing Company Ltd. and Food Basket Market Place to deliver 25 large hampers to the Bamboo Settlement Government Primary School for further distribution within the community.
- Coordinated with the T&T Coast Guard for the deployment of dinghies to evacuate persons and provide meals to residents.
Penal-Debe Regional Corporation
- Coordinated and monitored flood relief response in affected areas of Penal-Debe.
- Partnered with Persad’s D’ Food King to distribute 400 meals to affected residents.
- Collaborated with Price Club to provide 100 meals to affected residents.
- Conducted aerial reconnaissance supported by the T&T Air Guard to provide information to the DMUs about the extent of flooding to assist their response in areas such as Suchit Trace, Clarke Road, Woodland and Princes Town.
Mayaro-Rio Claro Regional Corporation
- Partnered with SEWA TT and Persad’s D’ Food King to provide over 100 meals to affected residents.
- Arranged with the Engineer Battalion for a troop carrier to assist T&TEC personnel restore electricity in Mafeking and other flood inundated areas.
- Coordinated with the Engineer Battalion to assist the Ministry of Health transport patients from the Mayaro District Health Facility to the San Fernando General Hospital.