Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, says the government has erased a backlog in providing relief to victims of natural disasters since entering office in April 2025.
She made the comment at a Disaster Relief Grant Distribution Ceremony in Chaguanas on Wednesday.
“To date, since this administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has entered office, we have diligently erased the backlog and unnecessary delays in providing these essential relief.”
Minister Mohit noted that the distribution of these grants was essential to restoring confidence, dignity and hope to the 67 recipients.
“Through the distribution of disaster relief grants and home repair grants, the Ministry is providing support to 67 households, benefiting 228 individuals, with total assistance amounting to $1,171,710.50.”
But she said the distribution ceremony was far more than just figures.
“It is about restoring stability and purpose where life has been unfortunately disrupted. It is about ensuring safety where risk once existed. And it is about reaffirming that government has a duty to stand with its people, more so its vulnerable people, not only in moments of crisis, but in the everyday realities that affect how families live.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Ryan Ramcharan, said behind the scenes, better systems are driving the faster rollouts.
“Systems have been strengthened to capture information accurately and track support in real time. This guarantees that resources reach the right households promptly and assistance is delivered with equity and transparency, giving families confidence in the process.”
Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, Ryan Rampersad, noted that such an event was a turning point for residents who once doubted whether help would ever arrive.
“We know the challenges and the heartaches and the heartbreaks we go through as Local Government representatives when our dear burgesses come to our offices and we are not sure if they are going to be given help. We have faced this for many years, but we have seen a turn in the events. We are seeing a renewed sense of care, a renewed sense of service.”
The Ministry stated that in recent months, it has strengthened protocols to ensure assistance is delivered in a timely and structured manner.