The CAF- Development Bank of Latin America has offered to donate US$200,000.00 as a demonstration of unwavering solidarity with the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
According to CAF President Sergio Diaz- Granados Guida, this comes as citizens are facing significant damage and loss due to the effects of floods and landslides.
This offer of humanitarian support came last week from the bank’s president who recently visited the twin island republic to launch the opening of the CAF-Development Bank of Latin America’s regional hub which will be located there.
The Ministry is mindful that this is not the first act of solidarity from CAF.
“In October 2018 humanitarian assistance in a similar sum of US$200,000.00 was given by CAF for flood relief and our citizens, I am sure, will remember another generous donation from CAF of US$400,000.00 in April 2020 in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. CAF has also indicated its readiness to offer financing for rehabilitation or reconstruction of damaged infrastructure,” said Finance Minister Colm Imbert in a statement on the weekend.
“On behalf of the affected citizens, we thank CAF – Development Bank of Latin America for its consistent offers of financial support for Trinidad and Tobago in times of need,” the finance minister noted.
Steady rains have caused rivers across the island of Trinidad, especially, to reach their limit and overflow, bringing major flooding to plains and other low-lying areas. Flood waters reaching as high as ten feet were proving challenging for disaster relief crews trying to reach those affected.
Many families are still displaced from their homes, with some wooden structures reportedly collapsing under assault from flood waters and waterlogged, shifting land.
Littering and poor development practices have long been cited as contributing factors to the country’s flooding woes.
CMC/
