GREAT BAY:--- On the morning of Sunday, October 13th 2013 a fire, from unknown origin, engulfed the area in Cole Bay known as City 40. Every home burning down in the locality and leaving an estimated 100 persons homeless.
"Minister De Weever stated that the ministry has done their utmost to accommodate the victims of the fire, by putting people first," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.
The Ministry Public Health, Social Development & Labor immediately initiated the Crisis Care Unit – and the taskforce, consisting of expertise from the Department of Social Services, Social Development and Community Development Humanitarian & Family Affairs, visited the fire victims on Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15, to gather basic information and to get a realistic overview of the situation and those affected. During those visits, all fire victims were given the opportunity to register at the Department of Social Services. The purpose of this registration was to further ascertain people's eligibility to access the one-time financial assistance granted by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor under the approved policy initiative of the Honorable Minister V.H. Cornelius de Weever.
A total of 62 persons have thus far registered, of which only 16 are in fact legally eligible to receive the one-time financial assistance. The Department of Social Services will be contacting those 16 persons to provide information on the collection process.
Ensuring compliance with our laws as it pertains to legally residing and working here remains of paramount importance, and this coupled together with the assurance that those who are afforded the benefit of legally working and residing here are also granted suitable housing and living conditions.
"I will continue to work with all ministers to ensure this becomes a reality in our Country," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.