By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Tuesday, December 30 2008

Four families are still awaiting to be relocated, after their homes were destroyed ten days ago by landslides in Upper Freedom Street, Cocorite.

The families, which consist of eight adults and ten children, were temporarily placed in the Bourg Mulatresse Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lower Santa Cruz, after they were told by officials at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) that they could not return since the land was unsafe.

Shortly after being placed in the church, the Minister of Social Development, Dr Amery Brown, visited the families and assured them of their being placed in homes by Christmas Eve. Despite this assurance, the families were forced to spend the Christmas weekend in the cramped conditions in the room they share at the church.

However yesterday morning, Brown visited the families once again to calm their concerns and entertained questions as to when the victims would expect to be moved into their new homes.

“While he was here, it was a very calm atmosphere. Questions were asked and some very positive responses were given. We are hoping that everyone would be moved by the end of this week, but the minister didn’t give any guarantee this time. He said he was working feverishly with the ministry of housing, and it was in their hands but he had high hopes, and we have to live off that,” said Ecilyn, one of the victims. Several of the displaced family members said they were willing to take out a mortgage provided the ministry would find them a home. “What happen is not anybody’s fault, and we know this and we are not asking for any special treatment per se. But at the same time we all want a home and several of us are willing to rent and even pay off for a new house, if it would mean things would go back to normal,” said one of the victims.

One of the members of the church who assisted with the care-taking of the victims, said the families seemed tired and stressed over the situation. She called on the public to assist the victims.

“This is still the season of giving, and there are a lot of children and toddlers here. We could use some toys and clothing for them, and even some more milk and pampers for the babies. They are being provided for, but we can use some more help ,” the church member said.