Readers may have been surprised to note on page 13 of Thursday’s paper that government’s post-Hurricane Irma home repair programme is yet to start. Mind you, many damaged dwellings have already been fixed by a host of both local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), often with early relief assistance made available to them directly by the Netherlands.
More than 700 requests for such help have been filed with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labour VSA since the mega natural disaster 19 months ago, but due to the time elapsed, efforts are taking place to determine whether they still require it. Persons who did not register to be considered can do so up to and including Friday, April 26.
The rules to qualify are a bit limiting, but understandable. The applicant must not only be the legally-proven owner but have the house in question as main place of residence.
All this is to prevent speculation and abuse by others of social aid intended for those in real need.
Tenants whose landlords claim they have no insurance money or other means to cover repairs should simply insist on never having agreed to live in a ruin. They may also demand a reduction in their rent or pay for the job themselves and deduct it from the rental amount, which the court has determined can be permissible if done in a reasonable manner under pressing circumstances.
Applicants who have waited so long without a solution will no doubt be happy to see the work begin in May. Some of the delay has to do with this being part of the Emergency Recovery Project 1 financed from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund managed by the World Bank with its strict procurement procedures and regulations.
Better late than never.
