El Nino Impact
Stories by Miranda La Rose and Desiree Jodha
Heat, fire, disease widespread - Rupununi residents worried about prospects
By Desiree Jodah
The effects of the weather phenomenon El Nino, have reached alarming proportions. As the long dry season continues, there have been reports of the suffering endured by hinterland residents especially the Amerindians, who live off the land, as a result of food and water shortages.
Stabroek News visited Region Nine on Wednesday and Thursday and had a first-hand look at some of the affected villages.
Parikwaru Nawa
At Parikwaru Nawa, the few farmers who have small amounts of cassava are sharing it around. The same is done with the farine. Water shortage is a serious problem for villagers, they depend on the few water holes they have dug. Every day they have to dig the holes deeper to get to the water.
The school children, some of whom walk for over five miles to get to school, obtain water from a small water hole at the back of the school. A look in the hole revealed a small amount of murky water and the bottom.
In the absence of the headmaster, teacher Rachel Buckley is in charge of the 60 students who range in ages from about two to 15 years. Buckley disclosed that she had just recovered from chicken pox. She said that some of the children who attend school from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm come from several miles away.
Asked if any of her students were absent the young teacher said that only three had not turned up. She said that parents were sending their children to school because of the feeding programme which was conducted there. Buckley explained that they used to provide a meal for the children each day. However, she said, the programme ground to a halt after they had ran out of supplies. She said that all they had were sardines and some sweet biscuits. The teacher said that after the last of the items--split peas and flour--were depleted, the children had been eating the sardines, but they have since stopped. She said that from constantly eating the oily product they became sick. The sardines also worsen the diarrhoea from which most of them suffer, she said.
Quarri
A couple of miles away at Quarri village, Councillor Fidel Ramon had the same complaints. He said that the cassava roots were cooked in the earth and that the young plants were dying. He said that the villagers would do some fishing in Takutu River, but the fish were in short supply.
Ramon said that the water which they drink was "very dirty".
In the small dusty bond at Quarri, that houses the annex of the Kumu School, 43 children, some no more than two years old sat on the floor, ran around the hot room or just sat with their heads on the desks staring, as the intense heat penetrated the thin zinc roof.
A short distance away was 77-year-old Joe Hernandez, another of El Nino's victims. He said that only once before had he experienced such a drought and that was in 1939. Hernandez recalled that then he was in the Cuyuni and witnessed fires starting from the heat of the sun. "That time the dry season lasted a long time. That was the only time before now that I had witnessed such a long dry season," said Hernandez.
Hernandez resides at Buru, close to the mountain. He explained that water was not an immediate problem to him because he dug his well close to the mountain foot. However, he was not so lucky with his farm. He said that fire had swept through his farm destroying his banana trees. His cassava plants are dying as a result of the heat. Hernandez said that he is desperately trying to keep some of the plants alive for replanting whenever the rain comes. Asked what he would do if the rain did not come within two months Hernandez replied, "I might dry up."
Sand Creek
This story is repeated in several other villages. At Sand Creek 75 persons are affected by food shortages. According to Benedict James, who resides at Sand Creek and who is also a regional councillor, there are a few cassava plants, but the owners are keeping them to replant. He predicted that if the rain did not come soon they would have to reap the cassava. However, this would mean that the people would not have cassava sticks to replant and could mean them being without food for about a year.
James, however, was optimistic. He said that one of the old villagers told him that in a similar drought many years ago, the rain came in July.
He said that there was a well, but the pump installed there was too small to access the water. According to him, the casing installed by the drillers was three inches and this could not facilitate a larger pump. He said that a four-inch casing was needed for the larger pump.
James disclosed that eight and half acres of farm land were destroyed by fire and wild hogs. He said that some of their livestock have died and malnutrition in the village is about 50 per cent.
Same story
At Rupunau 17 animals reportedly died. According to Touchau of this village, Frederick Atkinson, wild hogs are eating the little cassava they have left. He reported that parents are forced to keep their children away from school.
Katoonarib's touchau reported that 72 households have no cassava. He said that there was an invasion of caterpillars. Their water wells were quickly drying-up, he said, and they had no pump.
Residents of Sawariwau complained that the water they are drinking has resulted in the outbreak of diarrhoea. They also complained that their crops were destroyed by the heat. Some of their livestock have also died.
Forty-eight households at Macushi are affected by the shortage of food and water. Twenty-five animals reportedly died. Malnutrition is evident in the village as well as diarrhoea, cough and fever.
Potarinau Captain Paul Stanislaus reported that there is hardly any cassava left in his village. The cassava which is left is mushy and unusable. Malnutrition and diarrhoea are evident in the village.
According to the captain, parents have requested that their children stay away from school. Others have kept their children away without informing the school. Added to the woes of the people here, some of their menfolks have left for Brazil seeking employment.
At Shulinab 76 of the 88 households are affected by the shortage of food and water. Residents are suffering from diarrhoea and blurred vision.
Thirty-three households at Shiriri and 40 at Baitoon are affected; while 96 persons at Meriwau and 86 at Quiko are affected.
At Achawib 106 households are affected by food and water shortage. Diarrhoea and vomiting is present in this village. They have reported that 12 animals died in the village.
Captain of Karaudarnau, Hugh Thomas, said that the water in the village was not fit for human consumption. Malnutrition, tuberculosis and vomiting afflict the people of this community.
Aishalton reported that 208 households there are affected by the shortages. They complained of inadequate water. A small percentage of the residents suffer from malnutrition. Acute respiratory tract infection is also reported in this community.
Awarewaunau reported that 80 persons are affected by the shortages. Captain Laurus Alfred said that they have cassava to last them up to April. He reported that there is a small amount of malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Maruranau Captain Martin Pablo said that his villagers are affected by the shortages. Some of the residents are afflicted by malnutrition, diarrhoea, scabies and eye infections.
At Shea, 81 persons are affected. While they reported that the water in their pond is good, they said that their creek water is polluted. Malnutrition and diarrhoea are present in this community. The residents of this village, situated about 100 miles from Lethem and 40 miles from the nearest shop, complained that food items are being sold at exorbitant prices in this community. Only six persons in Shea are employed.
Annai reported that 76 of its households are affected by the shortages due the prolonged dry weather. They reported that all their water is drying up. Malnutrition and a high percentage of diarrhoea are evident in the community.
At Surama, 35 households are affected. It is reported that water is limited. Diarrhoea and skin rashes afflict some residents here.
Kwatamang reported that 24 households are affected. According to reports, their water holes are drying. The village reported ten per cent malnutrition and 50 per cent diarrhoea.
Rupertee reported that 38 of its households are affected by the shortages caused by the drought. Diarrhoea is also present in this community.
Karasabai also reported several cases of diarrhoea and malnutrition. Villagers have requested drugs such as vitamin injections and mineral salts. Their crops were destroyed by animals and fire.
Animals at Tipuru are weak. These villagers complained that their cassava crops had been baked in the earth and they could not make farine or cassava bread.
Thirty-four of Rukumuta households are affected by El Nino. They reported that their animals are dying and that they are in need of drugs. Malnutrition and diarrhoea are evident in this village.
Tiger Pond reported that 56 household are affected. Residents are also afflicted by malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Yurong Paru captain Geoffrey Cypriani reported that 46 households in his village are affected by the shortages caused by the weather. He reported 25 per cent malnourishment and no diarrhoea. He requested drugs for their domestic animals.
Taushida reported that 41 households are affected by the drought. They have no water and that some of their residents are suffering from malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Fair View, Kurupukari, which is in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) close to Region Nine reported that 22 households there are affected by the shortages. But so far they have had no cases of malnutrition or diarrhoea.
And Kennard Davis of Toka village reported that 28 of his 36 households are affected by the shortage.
Some of these districts have received food supplies and more are on the way. Water tanks donated by the World Food Programme (WFP) are also being sent to the area to assist in the water shortage.
Dryness likely to linger even after El Nino ends
Climatologist in the Hydrometeorological Office, Kemp Simon, said yesterday that the sea temperature was decreasing and the current El Nino weather phenomenon was forecasted to end sometime around late May. Anomalously warm sea surface temperatures referred to as El Nino have been responsible for the drought-like conditions prevailing in Guyana over the past months.
Simon said that the atmospheric effect in Guyana was expected to persist for sometime after the El Nino ends. He added that rainfall was likely to be below normal in May and June.
Simon said that the total cumulative rainfall for the year so far (January and February) was only 90.0 mm. Under normal circumstances the rainfall for these two months should have been 277.1 mm. He noted that this was 32.5% of normal rainfall for those two months.
Simon also said that the total maximum temperature for the year so far (January and February) was 60.4 degrees celsius, while under normal circumstances it should have been 57.5 degrees celsius, indicating that the cumulative temperature for the two months was hotter by 2.9 degrees celsius.
He said that based on the quantity of rainfall for the first two months, it was safe to say that the rainfall would likely be much less than normal for the month of March. He noted that normal rainfall in Georgetown for March was 111.0 mm, but so far for this month, the average rainfall is 22.9 mm. The normal maximum temperature for March was 29.2 degrees celsius, but so far this month, the average temperature was 31.0 degrees celsius, Simon said.
A forecast from the Hydrometeorological Office said that April was expected to have dry conditions with subnormal rainfall over most regions, despite some showers. The forecast also said that harvesting, drying and land preparation will be done with little interruption and crops will once again need irrigation. Surface water salinity was unlikely to be reduced.
The department is advising that water conservation practices should continue and salinity tests should be done on irrigation water and precautionary measures taken against forest fires.
The department, in a review for last month, said that rain fed agriculture was severely affected by a lack of water, while farmers utilising stored irrigation water were threatened by the low levels of the conservancies and this was not helped by the increased irrigation demand.
The Hydrometeorological Office also said that inadequate moisture in pastures resulted in evident malnutrition in cattle, which were sometimes stolen as they roamed further afield in their search for food and water.
At the Hague cattle settlement, cattle suffered diarrhoea due to the saline water which they were forced to consume and poultry farmers suffered losses as a result of heat stroke affecting birds.
The office also said that there was an increase in caterpillar pests due to reduced vegetation around crops in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).
Meanwhile, at a regional climate outlook forum held in Brazil in January, climatologists had predicted that February to April would be a drier than normal period for most of northern South America, where Guyana is located. The forum was comprised of climate researchers and representatives of meteorological services from Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela and the United States.
According to the forum, studies had suggested that there would be dryness in the northern coastal regions of Northeastern Brazil, accompanied by enhanced rainfall along the coast of the Guianas, opposing the effect of El Nino. However, this did not materialise as dry conditions have persevered throughout both areas. (Mark Ramotar)
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Drought could spell cassava trouble
Food is not a problem in the Moruca River communities as yet. This is the view shared by sub-regional officials and residents themselves.
However, if the current dry spell is not broken there could be serious problems with the sub-region's staple, which is the cassava bread, in another couple of months.
The dry spell which began since last June has stunted the growth of the cassava crops planted in the months since then. The problem has been heightened by the acoushi ants which have attacked the cassava crops and other crops leaving the trees depleted of leaves and even succulent stems. Crops planted before the weather began to take its toll have borne fairly good yields and these are what some people are still reaping.
Farmer and porter Thomas Nelson who took Stabroek News to his farm said that in August last year he planted an acre in bitter cassava sticks which he should have begun reaping six months later. As soon as the sticks bear leaves they are eaten by the acoushi ants which now infest the area. This problem is compounded by the weather and what should have been `a crop' now remains sticks in the ground. Fortunately for him and his family he has a crop which he can reap over the next month or two but when that runs out he will then have no more. Some residents have indicated that they have no cassava crops to reap and have resorted to buying rice and the cassava bread from those who now have.
Greens and vegetables are rare commodities in the community. The few kitchen gardens must be watered constantly. An aerial view of the area shows brown patches of land which have been prepared but there is no sign of growth.
Assistant Regional Executive Officer Mary Williams noted that the majority of residents are preparing their farms for planting and some have begun in anticipation of a break in the weather. She is of the view that "no one will starve" in the Moruca sub-region.
She noted, however, that planting materials such as cassava sticks, suckers and seeds would be needed to get agricultural activities going once more.
Wednesday morning Stabroek News observed members of two families asking their neighbours for cassava sticks to begin planting their farms.
To combat the acoushi ants menace which is also wreaking havoc with the crops it is expected that the agricultural officer based at Kumaka in the Santa Rosa community will promote an aggressive campaign with farmers in the riverain communities. Equipped with a fogging machine, he has scheduled a number of seminars and field days with farmers in the various communities at central locations. Most of the residents of the Moruca communities depend on fish obtained from fresh water or the sea. While fresh water fish is no longer in abundance because of the salt water which has encroached at Waramuri, fishermen from the Pomeroon River and even from within the area who go fishing in the Atlantic sell their catch at the mission and at Santa Rosa so that protein is always available.
It has been noted, however, that a number of fresh water fish such as `houri', `yarrow' and `hassar' have begun to harbour worms in their flesh. A fisherman told Stabroek News that when the water is stagnant the fish become infested with worms.
The weather is also taking its toll on fruits. A number of fruits such as star-apples are becoming `force ripe' very small. Young coconuts are dropping off thrushes and coffee and sugar apples are drying on the trees. A number of fruit trees have also died or are dying because of the drought.
Farmer Boniface Torres told Stabroek News that there is an abundance of coconuts at Santa Rosa area but there is no market for the crops. He said that if a market was there, sale from the coconuts would have helped to alleviate the economic depression in the community which is compounded by the weather. On an average each home in the Santa Rosa area has no less than 20 bearing coconut plants.
Torres noted, too, that in the not so distant past people made and sold coconut oil which was used for cooking. At present no one is making coconut oil for home use because of the cooking oil which the Social Impact Amelioration Programme/World Food Programme has been "pouring into the community".
El Nino dictates daily life of Pomeroon residents - families making 64-mile trip for water
Boats loaded with plastic water tanks, drums and buckets, moving along the length and breadth of the Pomeroon River have become a common sight. The El Nino weather condition now dictates the daily routine of residents in the riverain and hinterland communities.
On the stelling too, could be seen a number of water containers either filled or waiting to be filled.
For many families in the lower Pomeroon river, fetching water takes up an entire day as family members travel for miles by river and by road to secure this vital necessity.
When Stabroek News was at Marlborough in the Pomeroon River on Tuesday, five families were preparing to make an eight-hour and 64-mile journey up the Akiwini Creek to obtain `fresh water'.
The families who had subscribed to the trip were the Abrams, Duncans, Danns, Kanhais and the Simons. They were hoping to bring back by boat some 800 gallons of water in two 400-gallon water tanks. The boat was powered by a 15-horse power engine which meant that the return trip was going to be relatively slow.
Those on the trip would travel seven miles along the Pomeroon River to get to the mouth of the Akiwini Creek then about 25 miles inland up the creek to obtain fresh water. There they would manually fill the two 400-gallon tanks by bucket before returning home.
They said that the water would only be used for cooking and some domestic chores. The water supply would last for about a week then if the rain does not fall they would have to make another trip. There is the claim, however, that if the weather pattern remains the same, salt water which has already infiltrated the Akiwini Creek could go further inland which means that fetching water would entail travelling longer distances.
Community Health Worker/microscopist Irvine Abrams of Haimoracabra Creek has said that the creek community where he resides has been surrounded by salt water from the sea and obtaining water there is "very tough".
Abrams said that there are a number of wells in the community but at present they are not getting water because the wells have not been dug "deep enough". The water which is pumped from one of the wells is rusty looking and residents are not using that water.
Last Saturday, he said that he and his family dug two ponds but they got no water from the first. They then dug another closer to the creek from which they obtained fresh water but the water is milky with a greasy film. The water also has a strange taste. This is the water which he and his family are forced to use.
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Wells, creeks drying up
Water is the main problem affecting communities in the Moruca River area and Assistant Regional Executive Officer Mary Williams is suggesting that wells be dug in some areas to ease the problem.
She has also suggested that persons willing to assist in giving relief to affected areas should consider providing chemicals to purify water for drinking purposes. She said that food is not an immediate problem.
Residents, too, have suggested that making available mosquito nets in time for the rainy season will help in keeping down the high incidence of malaria. At present there is no evidence of mosquitos in the communities and malaria is at a minimum in the Moruca communities.
In brief comments, Williams told Stabroek News at Kumaka on Wednesday that apart from Waramuri, Santa Rosa and Kwebanna where Stabroek News visited in the North West District earlier in the week, residents at Warapoka and Barama Mouth have suggested that wells be dug in those areas to relieve them of the pressures of obtaining water from long distances when salt water from the Atlantic Ocean reach those areas during drought and dry spells.
At present salt water has reached Waramuri, Haimoracabra, Manawarin, Barama Mouth and Warapoka. The salt water is threatening the Santa Rosa community which has the largest Amerindian population in the country and Kwebanna on the Waini River. At Kwebanna the salt water was just about two miles away from the community while at Santa Rosa the water was about three miles from Acquero.
At Waramuri where ponds of individual families have dried up, the 250 residents who live at the mission are more fortunate than those who live on the periphery. The majority of them obtain water from the health centre's pond which is just about one mile away from the furthest home. The pond is apparently filled by an underground spring and does not appear to run out of water. Residents fetch water on their heads or by hand in buckets or other water containers.
At Santa Rosa, the need for water in the community which is populated by over 10,000 people, causes the folks there to dig their ponds from which they obtain potable water, almost on a daily or weekly basis.
Tributaries of several creeks in the community on which residents especially on the Kumaka/Kwebanna Road have all dried up forcing residents to dig ponds.
Two families who depended on the creek which have dried up included those of Genevieve La Rose and Emmanuel Torres at One Mile Kumaka Road. A group of community workers dug a pond for La Rose where the creek ran but found no water. She now depends on Torres' pond which is about eight feet deep but which only gives about four gallons of water overnight from an underground spring. When that water is depleted another two or three gallons is obtained by noon and a similar amount during the evening hours. The families use the water they obtain from the pond only for drinking and cooking purposes. To wash they go to another creek aback of the Bemichi airstrip about a half-mile walking distance. This creek which has a reservoir has become a communal bathroom and laundry.
Health and sub-regional administrative officials told Stabroek News that even though they keep on asking people to boil their drinking water people are not heeding the plea and many cases of diarrhoeal diseases have been reported at the Kumaka District Hospital. At least one child was reported dead on account of dysentery.
Williams said that if `chlorotabs' which purify the water is distributed through the schools and other agencies for families in time for the rainy season people will suffer less from diarrhoeal diseases.
It is expected that when the rains come there will also be an increase in mosquitoes and with it the dreaded malaria disease.
Village tailor and farmer Aloysius Torres said that there are a number of families without mosquito nets. When the rain comes the wide expanse of savannah lands and pools in the community will provide breeding grounds for the mosquitos and it is expected that the incidence of malaria will rise.
Guyana may get help with satellite forest imaging - UNDP launches aid drive
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which is tasked to coordinate the relief efforts in the international community has launched its drive to mobilise aid for the El Nino stricken Guyana.
UNDP Permanent Representative, Carlos Felipe Martinez, told Stabroek News yesterday that a Situation Report on the crisis in Guyana has been prepared and should be released in Geneva "anytime now."
The report is to be broadcast to the international community to make it aware of the current situation in Guyana and to solicit assistance.
Martinez said the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was fine tuning statistics from the various regions so that the specific areas of need could be quantified.
He disclosed that the data gathered over the weekend will be examined at a meeting scheduled for Monday, at the Presidential Secretariat.
The details of what is required from the donor community will be worked out from the data gathered, Martinez said. He stated that the donors will be informed of the areas of assistance required of them at a meeting to be held on Tuesday.
There is a possibility that the use of satellite imaging could be acquired with the assistance of the UNDP to map out areas of forest fires in the interior, Martinez told Stabroek News.
He said another option is the use of infra red photography.
Martinez said an offer was made to the Guyana Government to assist in the identification of the points of the fires and Foreign Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, had made an appeal to the governments of Brazil, United States and Canada for them to help in this regard.
Major Ivan Alert of the CDC, told Stabroek News yesterday, that meetings are being held at several levels and work is moving quickly ahead.
He said the CDC Secretariat has been extended to include the public and private sector, non-governmental organisations and the regional and international communities.
Major Alert said the information being received from the affected communities is being speedily analysed and the areas of need are being defined.
He pointed out, though, that the population figures for some areas are not being sent out and these are vital to the Secretariat's work programme.
Major Alert stated that even though requests are being made for foodstuff in the regions, the CDC has little basis on which to plan for some areas because of the lack of adequate information.
There are persons and organisations willing to assist in the relief drive, Major Alert said.
President Janet Jagan declared a state of emergency on Thursday as a result of the impact on the country by the phenomenon.
Areas most affected are Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine.
Forest fires have started up in numerous areas and are a cause of concern to residents and loggers who depend on the woods as their source of income. (Andrew Richards)
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Salt water, intense smoke stifling Moruca
Salt water from the Atlantic Ocean and intense smoke from raging fires on the coast are posing a threat to the Waramuri, Haimoracabra and Manawarin communities in Moruca.
Because of the drought which has hit the country, salt water has found its way up the Moruca River and into the communities. Santa Rosa further upriver, is also threatened by the encroaching salt water.
The smoke from the fires, which in some cases were just about a mile away from the communities, have in recent weeks "smoked out" the areas leaving residents with a dry cough.
Waramuri and Haimoracabra are found in Region One. Both communities are about ten miles from the Atlantic Ocean, up the Moruca river. The mouth of the Manawarin Creek is some eight miles from the Moruca river and the community is found 10 miles inland.
Salt water from the Atlantic has flowed three miles past Waramuri to Cayman in the direction of Santa Rosa which is just five miles further upriver.
Residents say that though the water became "brackish" some four years ago during a prolonged dry spell, salt water has not affected the community for the past 40 years. They do not bathe and wash in the water which they use for domestic purposes and have resorted to digging holes for ponds to get to underground water.
The once coffee coloured water now has a green hue in some places and in other places it is opaque. The trees along the river bank have shed most of their leaves while some are either yellow or brown in colour. This is as a result of either the fire or the salt water.
Nurse-in-charge of the Waramuri Health Centre, Vera Boyal on Tuesday told Stabroek News that for the past week the entire community had been "smoked out" by raging fires which started at the sea coast and which burnt their way down river.
Smoke floated over the Pomeroon River in the Akiwini and Wakapau areas. Smoke and small tongues of fire were visible at the Moruca mouth. In some areas the smoke blanketed as far as the eye could see. The fires had been smothered by a shower the previous night but were not put out and many times along the route the reporter on the trip had to cover her nose from the smoke.
Throughout the ride from Moruca Mouth to Waramuri and beyond, the smell of burnt wood and ashes pervaded the air.
Boyal noted that most of the people in the community suffer from coughs and other respiratory ailments which were heightened by the smoke and ash coming from the fires. After almost two weeks of constant smoke which had enveloped the community, it had eased somewhat by Tuesday afternoon with the showers that fell the night before but it was evident on Wednesday that the fires which had not been put out completely had restarted having been fanned by the Atlantic breeze.
Boyal said that the current drought has caused the sandy place to become even more dry and the dusty condition on the mission contributes to the respiratory ailments which many suffer in the community.
Residents in the community noted that the smoke has affected them at nights as well. The smell of the smoke is also in their clothing and in their homes. Some claim that the fires were deliberately set while others say that fishermen who camp at the seaside might not have put out their cooking fires completely. Because of the dry conditions, they said, the sea breeze would have easily fanned the flames.
Senior citizen 93-year-old Thomasa Torres recounted the 1928 drought when salt water had reached the Santa Rosa area and fires which originated from the sea coast burnt for weeks enveloping the entire district in smoke.
"Fire was all around and there was no fresh water. It was terrible times", she said adding that "people went into the backdams to search for water".
She said that what is now savannah lands with a number of tall ite palms interspersed in the open space was once a mora forest. She noted that after the rains came many people died from diarrhoeal diseases and malaria. "I remember we buried two to three persons a day for weeks after the rains came."
Torres, a respected `granny/midwife' in the community said that "the young people must be prepared not to let anyone die as a result of this drought".
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Wild animals plunder sun baked Rupununi farms - residents may need six-month food aid
By Desiree Jodah
El Nino translated to English means "boy child". However, there is nothing boyish or childish about the damage this weather phenomenon is causing in Guyana and around the world.
In Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) residents are suffering from food and water shortages. Dried up creeks, water holes, rivers and farms are threatening their livelihood. Cassava roots, the staple diet of the residents of these areas are half-baked while still in the earth by the scorching heat. Forest fires have also destroyed farms in the area.
Cassava is used by the Amerindians to make farine which they store for future consumption as they replant their crop. Cassava bread and casareep are made from the cassava as well. The latter products are sold and the money used to buy items, including clothing.
Farmers in this region are mothering the few sticks of cassava they have in the farms to replant when the rains come. According to them, it is daily becoming extremely difficult to keep the plants alive.
Hunting and fishing are other means by which Amerindians obtain food. Forest fires and hunger have caused the hunted to become the hunters. Wild animals are leaving the sanctuary of the forest and venturing into the residential communities in search of food and water. Villagers, while acknowledging that it was easier to capture the animals when they leave the forest, complained that they are so lean that their meat only lasts for one meal when shared around.
The animals, especially wild hogs, are wreaking havoc on farmers as they plunder the already depleted farms.
Food
In light of the serious situation President Janet Jagan has declared a state of emergency. Government and non-governmental organisations are assiduously trying to assist residents affected by the prolonged dry season.
Chairman of Region Nine Muacir Baretto said that three shipments of foodstuff were distributed in several communities. Yesterday workers at the regional chairman's office in Lethem were busy working out the distribution of two more truckloads of food that had arrived while Stabroek News was there.
Water
As creeks and rivers dry up, domestic animals are collapsing. Several communities reported that animals are dying, from lack of water and food. Animals are becoming too weak to walk around to look for water and there have been heavy poultry losses.
The Guyana Water Authority (GUYWA) in a bid to combat the water shortage had drilled and rehabilitated wells in the Region Nine area. However, according to residents, some of the wells are not working. They complained that the wells are too shallow or that the pumps installed are not the proper type.
GUYWA hinterland engineer, Kumar Persaud, in an invited comment, said that the wells which are not working are the deep wells. He explained that this is so because they did not have deep well pumps only shallow-well pumps.
He said that shallow-well pumps could pump water from a maximum depth of 30 ft. Persaud disclosed that deep-well pumps had been ordered and would be installed as soon as they arrived.
Persaud said that in Aishalton, four wells were sunk and only three work because one is a deep well. At Karaudarnau of the three wells only the one shallow one is working. At Achawib, he said, there are three working shallow wells and at Awarewaunau there is one shallow well. In the village of Maruranau there are two deep wells this means that they are not in working order because they are without pumps. One of the two wells at Shea is working. According to Persaud, at Rupunau there is one shallow well. And at Sawariwau there is a deep and a shallow well. This is also the case in Katoonarib. Persaud claimed that there are three wells at Sand Creek one of which is hand-dug. He said that a hand pump was given to the village to be used on the hand-dug well. The GUYWA engineer said that there are wells in Ambrose and Shulinab.
Responding to complaints that some of the shallow wells were also not producing any water, Persaud said that they were probably dry, because of the El Nino phenomenon.
Health
Two young girls at Potarinau reportedly fainted from exhaustion.
Diarrhoea is present in every village and according to reports from the touchaus one child died as a result of diarrhoea at Aishalton. Blood in the stool is also being reported by health workers.
Almost 90 per cent of the villages showed signs of malnutrition in small children. Flu, throat and eye infections as well as a few cases of chicken pox are reported. Diarrhoea, vomiting and skin rashes are also prevalent in some communities.
Community Health Workers (CHW) in some villages are assisting with oral rehydration salts for residents who are affected. However, in the case of the diarrhoea, CWHs complained that the residents would not report when the disease was in its early stages, when it would be easier to contain and treat.
Farmers were also requesting vitamin injections and mineral blocks for their cattle.
Even as the strategies are being worked out for the battle against El Nino, Vice-Chairman Vincent Henry expressed concern that what the Amerindians were experiencing was just the beginning of the effects of the long dry season. For when the rains come and the farmers replant their crops, they have to wait until they are ripe. This entire period could be six months to a year. During this time they would have to have food.
