NEMO Minister Says Help for San Pedro Fire Victims Continues to Trickle In

Victims of the August fifth inferno which decimated ten homes in San Pedro, leaving eighty-seven residents displaced, are preparing to commence the rebuilding process.  It is expected that persons who were renting property in the Boca del Rio community that have been affected by the massive blaze, are situating themselves elsewhere on the island.  Those who owned houses and other structures at ground zero are receiving basic assistance from government, but NEMO Minister ‘Clear the Land’ Castro says that building new homes for fire victims is not part of government’s mandate, despite the emergency relief being offered.

Edmond ‘Clear the Land’ Castro

Edmond ‘Clear the Land’ Castro, NEMO Minister

“We are doing our best.  Last week Tuesday, most of the residents that had the experience of that fire received the basic NEMO packages which include mattresses, sheets, table top stoves, gas tanks hygiene kits and so on and fruit packages.  So that is going well.  A lot of the people who were renting, I believe by now already found or are in the process of finding a new place for them to rent.  So I think it’s going well, I haven’t heard any complaints.”

Isani Cayetano

“I was made to understand that there was talk of assisting with the rebuilding process.  Is this through your ministry or would this be from the area representative?”

Edmond Castro

“Well if the area representative can assist then I am sure that the area representative will try and assist.  But as a policy, no government – past, present or future government – will be able to rebuild back every home from a fire.  If any government should do that then we will look at major disaster throughout our country.”

In the wake of the fire, there has been an overwhelming show of support from residents to assist victims with rebuilding their lives.