Bajan gov’t to disburse $30M in aid to families affected by Hurricane Elsa

Hundreds of Barbadians displaced or significantly affected by Hurricane Elsa are set to receive assistance via the country’s Catastrophe Fund.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn told the Weekend Nation that the fund has been capitalised to the tune of $30 million and is in a position to help the many Barbadians, most of whom live in the southern part of the island.

Disbursement of the money to effect repairs or complete rebuilds could start as early as next month, but won’t be ready just yet, as officials from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Housing and Lands await the final impact assessment and damage reports from personnel in the field since Elsa struck Barbados just after 7.30 a.m. on July 2.

“The damage assessments by the engineers are still being completed, after which it will be determined, based on the criteria set out, which families qualify for the relief under the provisions of the Catastrophe Fund,” Straughn said.