The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services continued its drive to deliver much needed assistance to citizens across Trinidad and Tobago, with the distribution of Disaster Relief and Minor Home Repair Grantsto fifty-nine (59) households from central Trinidad at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation Auditorium on Monday June 29, 2026. The grants will benefit one-hundred and sixty-three (163) persons, in the amount of four hundred and sixty-two thousand, seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($462,007.75).
Fifty-seven (57) households, representing one hundred and fifty-eight (158) beneficiaries received Disaster Relief Grants totaling four hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred and five dollars and seventy-five cents ($418,905.75). Additionally, two (2) households, representing five (5) beneficiaries received Home Repair Grants valued at forty-three thousand, one hundred and two dollars ($43,102.00).
Delivering the feature address at the distribution event, the Honourable Vandana Mohit, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, stated that the distribution is not about announcements, but about assurance and reminding every citizen that even during life’s most difficult moments, they are not alone.
“The real story is what they represent. A roof repaired before the next rainy season. Furniture replaced after floodwaters destroyed everything. Children returning to bedrooms instead of makeshift sleeping arrangements. Families finding hope where, only weeks ago, there was uncertainty, that is what these grants truly mean,” she said.
Minister Mohit assured those gathered that the Government will continue working to ensure that support is delivered to citizens who need it most. “We are not interested in making one appearance and disappearing,” she stressed, “we are committed to showing up, following through, and delivering for the people. That is the standard we have set for ourselves, and it is the standard by which we intend to be judged.”
Through its Disaster Relief and Home Repair Grant programmes under the National Social Development Programme (NSDP), the Ministry continues to provide timely assistance to vulnerable families, helping them rebuild, recover and move forward with renewed confidence and security.
Services (centre) is flanked by Government and local government officials and grant recipients
following the distribution.
Services (centre) presents a Disaster Relief Grant to a recipient. Also pictured are (L – R) Mr. Ryan
Rampersad, Chairman, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation; His Worship Faaiq
Mohammed, Mayor of Chaguanas; Dr. the Hon. Rishad Seecharan, Minister in the Ministry of Health
and Member of Parliament for Caroni East; the Honourable Hansen Narinesingh, Member of
Parliament for Claxton Bay; Dr. the Honourable Neil Gosine, Member of Parliament for Chaguanas
West; Senator Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, Parliamentary Secretary, MPSDFS; Mr. Ryan Ramcharan,
Permanent Secretary, (Ag.) MPSDFS; Mrs. Vera Deonanan-Balkaran, Permanent Secretary (Ag.)
MPSDFS; Ms. Michelle Pierre, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MPSDFS and Ms. Patricia DeLeonHenry, National Director, NSDP