Salutations
• The Hon. Shivanna Sam, Member of Parliament for Cumuto/Manzanilla and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities
• Senator Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services
• Mr. Ryan Ramcharan, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services
• Mrs. Wendy Guy-Hernandez, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services
• Mr. Ashmead Mohammed, Adviser to the Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services.
• Ms. Patricia De Leon Henry, National Director, National Social Development Programme
• Staff of the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services
• Esteemed Grant Recipients
• Specially Invited Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon everyone,
It is truly an honour to be here with you at the Coryal Secondary School for today’s Disaster Relief Grant Distribution. And let me say from the outset, this gathering is not simply a ceremony. It is a powerful reminder of who we are as a people, and who we are as a Government: present, compassionate and unwavering in our duty to stand with families in their hour of need.
Over the past weeks, I have walked with affected families in Penal/Debe, Siparia, Central Trinidad and Tunapuna/Piarco. And today I stand with you, the strong people of Sangre Grande and Coryal, people who continue to show this nation what resilience looks like. No matter how difficult the circumstances, no matter how unexpected the disaster, our communities rise.
They rise with courage. They rise with dignity. And they rise with a sense of unity that defines the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.
And I must say this clearly: when hardship strikes, this UNC-led Government responds with alacrity, purpose and heart. We do not hesitate. We do not delay. We do not tell families to wait and hope for the best. We move, and we move swiftly, because we understand that disaster does not give people the luxury of time.
Today, we are here to support fourteen households (14) and fifty-five individuals (55), through grants totalling ninety-eight thousand, five hundred dollars ($98,500 dollars).
This includes eighty-eight thousand, five hundred dollars ($88,500 dollars) in Household Items Grants for fourteen families (14), and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in Clothing Grants for ten recipients (10).
But let me be clear, this is far more than the monetary value. It is a statement. It is a reassurance. It is a promise that no family will walk the road to recovery alone.
Too many times in the past, disaster relief was slow, frustrating and unpredictable. Families suffered twice, once from the disaster itself, and then from the long wait for assistance. But under this Government, those days are gone. We have strengthened our systems, we have streamlined our processes, and we remain in the field with our people from the very moment disaster hits.
I have seen with my own eyes the damage that flooding and high winds caused here. I have listened to families who had to move quickly, salvage what they could and try to remain hopeful while watching their personal belongings being destroyed. That is why today is so important.
When a family loses their fridge, their bed, their clothing, their sense of comfort, it is not just material loss. It is emotional loss. It is the loss of stability, routine and security, especially for children.
And so our assistance must be timely. It must be meaningful. And above all, it must be centred on people, their dignity, their wellbeing and their right to recover with strength and support behind them.
Today, as we meet with you here in Coryal, this relief distribution is part of a deliberate national effort to restore stability in the shortest possible time. As Minister, I have made it clear that no affected household, whether in Sangre Grande, Penal, Siparia, Central, Tunapuna or here in Coryal must feel abandoned or forgotten. When disaster breaks the rhythm of life, it is our job to step in, to steady the ground beneath our people, and to help them rebuild.
The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services continues to strengthen its response mechanisms. We remain present in communities before, during and after disaster events. And let me say this plainly, we will continue to be present, not just today, not just for this distribution, but for every family throughout their journey back to stability.
I want to express heartfelt thanks to the hardworking team at the Ministry, to our local government representatives, and most importantly, to the residents who have shown patience, faith and resilience over these difficult weeks.
Your strength inspires us. Your determination reminds us why we serve. And your courage reinforces our belief that when Government and community work hand in hand, recovery becomes possible, quickly, effectively and with dignity.
As we move forward, this Government remains committed to improving our disaster response, expanding our support systems, and ensuring that the assistance you receive is accessible, efficient and reflective of genuine care for your wellbeing.
To every family here today, please know that you are not alone, and you will not be left behind. As you rebuild your homes, your routines and your sense of normalcy, the Ministry will remain a steady partner, ready to support, ready to guide, and ready to help you regain comfort and peace.
Thank you once again for welcoming us today.
May this assistance bring renewed hope, renewed strength and renewed confidence that better days are ahead.
And may God bless each and every family represented here.
Thank you.