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"Do not for a moment think that that anything has improved here on the East Coast, you cannot even begin to imagine the pain and the suffering of the people affected. Many have lost everything that they have worked their entire lives to achieve and that is putting it mildly. There has been two reported deaths by drowning so far."
Bryan Mackintosh
Brian Mackintosh kept a day-by-day account of the flood disaster on his website, and a collection of photos showing the extent of the tragedy.
 Out of sight of the rest of the world, in the shadow of Asia’s devastating tsunami, a country drowns in desolation. Guyana’s disaster does not have the mind-boggling, breaking-news effect of a hurricane or an earthquake or a tsunami, and deaths were few; perhaps that’s why the world has not paid it much attention. The problem was so everyday – especially for Britons – and so, well, boring. It started on December 26th with nothing more spectacular than rain. Just rain. Incessant rain. Rain, rain and more rain.
More than 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain have fallen in Guyana since then, including more than 27 inches (68 centimeters) this month alone. An average of 8 inches (20 centimeters) normally falls in January.
 As the rains came down, the floods came up: horrific in scope, the worst disaster the country has ever suffered. From day to day residents of the capital city and settlements up and down the Atlantic coast have watched in anguish as the water crept up in their homes. Some drowned, including children. Those who could, fled with their families to upper stories or to the drier homes of relatives. Those who couldn’t flee, who had nowhere to go - lived in water.
Can you imagine living in a house with water more than a foot deep? Some of the yards have water four feet deep. Many of these homes have had water standing in them for over two weeks. In some cases, this standing water along the east coast has been between 3 and 4 feet deep. Where will they sleep, how do they cook? In the homes the toilets may be covered. People are advised to use plastic bags - but where do they find the bags? And what about the danger from flooded sewage tanks, the spread of disease?
 The filth and unsanitary water is already causing major health issues, and that is only going to escalate over the coming weeks. Concern continues to rise because it has become obvious that this is no longer a temporary problem, but one that is going persist for long time.
Remember that Guyana’s coastline, where 99% of the country’s population lives, is not only flat, it’s 6 feet below sea level (On the coast, you ask? Yes! Behind the Sea Wall!) That means there’s no high land to escape to. When it floods, it floods everywhere and covers everything.
Local crops have been devastated. Virtually everything that was grown in a garden or farm in this region is now under water or has been ruined. The price of produce in the local markets has multiplied in some cases by 400% or more. When this produce is gone, there will not be any more for a long while. The ‘average’ lower income Guyanese depends on low cost produce as their main staple. When this is no longer available, many of the lower income Guyanese will literally have nothing to eat.
 After several weeks, the waters finally receded in mid-February. Reports say that the countryside after the flood looked as if covered with brown paint. Crops, gardens, chickens, smallholdings were completely destroyed, as well as home interiors. People who already had nothing have to start all over again; and little help can be expected from the Government.
This fund is for them. You can help by donating via paypal below.
About Us
Searching on the Internet for a website where the British public could donate funds in Britain, we found – nothing. Making a bank transfer to the Red Cross (or any other charity) in Guyana from Britain means going to the bank, which means having to arrange a personal appointment for a foreign transaction and long waits, plus bank charges. We wanted a quicker, no hassles way of helping. Transferring money to a Guyanese bank only makes sense if you have a large amount to send. But many people may be willing to give ten pounds here, five pounds there, and won't go to the bank for that. But every little helps. This donation website is for them.
Donations to this appeal will go to the Kids First Fund, headed by Guyana's First Lady.
OK, we won’t expect to match the tsunami donations but we’ll work hard to give them a good run for their money!
Afterword: towards the end of February the floods began to recede. The desolation remains; people do not have the means to rebuild their lives. The collection continues.
guyanafloodappeal@btinternet.com .
Sharon Maas: novelist, founder member of the Shanthimalai Trust in India
Gloria Austin: legal and business consultant
You can also donate as follows:
Numbers for the Guyana Red Cross :
Email: redcross@sdnp.org.gy
Website: www.sdnp.org
Telephpne 592-226-5174, 592-226-0384.
Guyanese living abroad can send money to the Red Cross Disaster Fund, Guyana Flood through a direct transfer to the National Bank of Industry and Commerce (NBIC), Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana at Account # 653-346-7 and Account #276 3043; GBTI at Account #CIDA 814 213, Scotia Bank at Account #109 778, and Demerara Bank at Account #216 2188. Cheques may also be mailed to Guyana Red Cross Society, Box 10524, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Guyana.
This page was last updated 03/20/05
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