| Cash grants to flood victims this week -- Peart |
| Jamaica Observer Monday, June 24, 2002 |
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| PEART... the process will be objective and transparent |
THE government is to this week begin making cash grants to victims of the recent flood rains as part of its larger rehabilitation programme, according to labour and social security minister, Dean Peart.
A near fortnight of continuous rain during late May and early June left more than a $1 billion in damages to infrastructure and cost at least nine lives.
The government declared five parishes -- St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine and St Thomas -- disaster areas.
Last week Peart toured several areas of St Thomas where homes were damaged, people lost furniture and appliances and farm animals were killed.
Peart has been assuring flood victims that the government will assist with all genuine cases and that the assessment, verification and assistance process will be objective and transparent.