Ten Million Dollars Earmarked by G.O.B. for Flood Relief

Assessment of damages is ongoing and a clear picture will emerge in the next few days of the extent of damages.  On Saturday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow held his final press conference before demitting office to address government’s national flood response.  According to PM Barrow, the Ministry of Finance has set aside ten million dollars in aid to victims of the massive inundation that has devastated the Cayo District.  Those monies, he says, were to become available today but with an imminent change of administration as of Thursday, whatever is left of those funds will be made available to his successor.  While he reiterated that money is no object, the outgoing head of government also says that the cost of aid to those in need will not be reckoned.

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“We have immediately in hand, certainly, ten million dollars.  I don’t know that we can spend ten million dollars between Monday and Wednesday, but it is [available] to the extent that perhaps we might have to make some commitments knowing that the new administration might have to follow through.  I, at least, assure the Honorable Patrick Faber, assure the Honorable John Briceño that there is that minimum amount that’s going to be available for dealing with this crisis. I want to make clear that money is no object.  In terms of what has to be done, it will be done.  I guarantee you that the funds are available from the Ministry of Finance and ‘lest the leader of the U.D.P. or the leader of the P.U.P. get a heart attack, just remember that there is only so much we can spend between now and Wednesday.  That’s your guard rail but whatever needs to be spent between now and Wednesday will be spent.  We have it in hand and we are not going to stop to count the cost.”