Government Provides $10,700 In Disaster Relief Grants To Chaguanas Family After House Fire

By —


Pictured Above: The Honourable Vandana Mohit, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services presents disaster relief grants to Mr. Jeffery Friday. Also pictured are (L-R) Ms. Patricia De Leon-Henry, National Director, NSDP; Mr. Ryan Ramcharan, Permanent Secretary, MPSDFS and Ms. Vera Deonanan-Balkaran, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MPSDFS.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services (MPSDFS), said it continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable citizens during times of crisis.

Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Vandana Mohit, presented disaster relief grants totaling $10,700 to Mr. Jeffery Friday for his family of four (4) on Wednesday (21st January, 2026), following a recent fire that caused partial damage to their home at Lions Gate, Enterprise, Chaguanas.

The grants distributed were as follows:

  • Household Items Grant: $5,000
  • Clothing Grant: $4,000
  • School Supplies Grant: $1,700

In a Media Release on Wednesday, the Ministry said these grants are “intended to assist the family with replacing essential items, meeting immediate needs, and supporting the continued education of school-aged children affected by the disaster.”

The Ministry notes that it “serves as a second responder during times of disaster, providing timely relief in the form of financial assistance and psychosocial support to families who become vulnerable due to unforeseen events. The National Social Development Programme (NSDP) is responsible for managing the Ministry's disaster response and processing disaster relief grants for eligible citizens.”


The Ministry said its disaster relief programme is guided by two (2) key objectives:

  1. To provide transparent and timely financial assistance for food and basic household amenities to disaster-affected households; and
  2. To offer counselling and referral services to individuals and families impacted by disaster.

Minister Mohit urged Mr. Friday to utilize the grants for their intended purpose and reaffirmed the Ministry's unwavering commitment to bringing relief to those in need as promptly as possible.

She emphasised that the Ministry remains focused on restoring dignity, stability, and normalcy to the lives of individuals and families affected by disaster.

During the presentation, Mr. Jeffery Friday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Minister Mohit and the Ministry, noting the “quick, compassionate, and positive response” to his family's tragedy. He stated that the assistance provided would go a long way in helping his household recover and begin rebuilding their lives.

The Media Release concluded by saying, “The Ministry continues to work diligently to ensure that no family is left behind in times of hardship, reflecting the Government's people-centred approach to social development and care for the most vulnerable.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Right Now On Youthere1 News

49-Year-Old Man Shot Dead, Wife Wounded While Children Slept In Valencia Home — Police Investigating

By —
Image
A man is dead and a woman wounded following a shooting incident in Valencia early Monday morning (20th April, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 49-year-old Shaun Charles of Emon Lane, Valencia, while the wounded woman, his common-law wife, is 40-year-old Clarisia James. According to reports, Charles and James were asleep along with their two (2) children at the residence, when several loud explosions rang out as gunmen opened fire in the home, shortly after 3:30 AM. Within moments, the victims realized they had been shot. Police and Emergency Health Services were notified. Officers assigned to the Eastern Division responded to the report and arrived to find both victims suffering from gunshot injuries. Several spent 9mm shell casings were observed at the scene, along with visible blood evidence. The victims were conveyed to the Sangre Grande Hospital, where Charles was later declared dead by a Medical Officer. The woman sustained a gunshot wound to the upper back and remains h...
Read more

BODY of Missing 36-Year-Old Man Found In Las Lomas Forest

By —
Image
UPDATE (18/04/26): A post-mortem examination conducted at the Forensic Science Centre on Friday (17th April, 2026) revealed that Frederick Aaron Stevenson died from blunt force trauma to the head, with investigators alleging he was killed with a sledgehammer before his body was dumped in a forested area off Esmeralda Road, Las Lomas. Investigators believe Stevenson was lured to the home of James Dwaraka under the pretext of carrying out repairs on an air conditioning unit, where it is alleged he was attacked and fatally struck with a sledgehammer on the same day he was reported missing, Saturday 11th April, 2026. Dwaraka, who allegedly disappeared following the incident, is now wanted by Police. Police sources believe Stevenson’s body was transported from Dwaraka’s residence after the killing and dumped in the isolated location in an attempt to conceal the crime. Investigators have since detained two (2) individuals who are believed to have assisted in the removal and disposal of the ...
Read more

NO Electricity On Tuesday In Parts of Diego Martin, Valsayn, St. Augustine, Claxton Bay, San Fernando, Barrackpore

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Diego Martin, Valsayn, St. Augustine, Claxton Bay, San Fernando and Barrackpore on Tuesday (21st April, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Diego Martin, Valsayn, St. Augustine, Claxton Bay, San Fernando and Barrackpore are as follows:  DIEGO MARTIN (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) Along La Puerta Avenue, including Rajnauth Street, John Street, Farfan Street, Louis Street, Gilkes Street, Pregnancy Lane, Western part of Senior Drive, Hornerman Lane and all associated side streets. VALSAYN (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Cooperative Street, Spring Village Hindu School, Kalpoo Street, Bassie Street, Southern Main Road from LP #55 to LP #59 and all associated side streets. VALSAYN (9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM) Ramdhanie Street, Southern Executive Services Limited, Sp...
Read more

NO Electricity On Sunday In Parts of Port-of-Spain, Bamboo Village, Claxton Bay

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Port-of-Spain, Bamboo Village and Claxton Bay on Sunday (19th April, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Port-of-Spain, Bamboo Village and Claxton Bay are as follows:  PORT-OF-SPAIN (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) and all associated buildings. BAMBOO VILLAGE (8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM) Singh Terrace 2, Bhim Trace, Singh Street, Maraj-Khanhi Street, Mangroo Street, Ramphall Street, Nanan Street, Ramsahai Circular, Pundit Street, Latchu Avenue, Global Avenue, NWT Enterprises and all associated side streets. BAMBOO VILLAGE (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) From LP #3 heading North on Singh Terrace up to LP #10 on corner of Bhim Trace and Singh Trace, Bamboo Village. CLAXTON BAY (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) From LP #A64 (in the vic...
Read more

T&TEC: NO Electricity On Monday In Parts of Couva And Manahambre

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Couva and Manahambre on Monday (20th April, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Couva and Manahambre are as follows:  COUVA (5:00 AM to 8:00 AM) From LP #W3 heading North along Esperanza Road up to LP #66W on the Rivulet Road (in the vicinity of NGC Maintenance Compound). From LP #52 (in the vicinity of Escape Marketing) heading West to LP #14 (in the vicinity of First and Last Bar) along the Rivulet Road, inclusive of Grant Street up to LP #A3 and Church Street up to LP # 1. MANAHAMBRE (8:30 AM to 4:00 PM) LP #51 to LP #117 Manahambre Road, including Montgomery Street, Cunningham Street, St. James Street, Corinth Settlement Road, Third Street, First Street, Pharoah Avenue, Coquette Street, George Street, Jaipaul Street, Train Line, Road A, Road B, Road C...
Read more

NO More Domestic Departure Lounge At Piarco Airport From 24th April, 2026

By —
Image
UPDATE (24/04/26): The Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago announced this morning (Friday 24th April, 2026) that the relocation of domestic operations, scheduled to begin from today, has been postponed until further notice. According to the Authority, “The planned redirection of domestic passengers through international checkpoints will not take effect at this time. We appreciate the continued co-operation of our stakeholders and the public as preparations continue.” All domestic passengers will therefore continue to be processed through the Domestic Departures area on the ground floor of the Piarco International Airport, with standard check-in and security procedures remaining in place. Authorities have not provided a new timeline for implementation but indicated that work toward the transition is ongoing. Stakeholders and the travelling public are being asked to maintain patience as adjustments continue. The planned overhaul forms part of a wider effort to modernize operations...
Read more

32-Year-Old Hairdresser Found Dead In Cunupia Apartment After Heated Dispute, Pregnancy Revelation

By —
Image
A woman was found dead at her apartment in Cunupia on Friday evening (17th April, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 32-year-old Anna Lalla, a self-employed hairdresser. Lalla, who may have been pregnant at the time, was discovered unresponsive at her home in an apparent suicide. According to reports, a male acquaintance, who had been in a relationship with Lalla, returned to her apartment, located along Elohim Road, off Munroe Road, after becoming concerned when he was unable to contact her. However, upon entering the residence using a spare key, he allegedly found her hanging from a bedroom door. Police and Emergency Health Services were notified and responded to the scene, including Officers from the Cunupia Police Station. Upon arrival, officials confirmed that the woman showed no signs of life. Investigators were told that the couple had been involved in a heated dispute hours earlier, reportedly involving their relationship and a recent pregnancy revelation — which is sai...
Read more

Female Police Officer Killed Inside San Fernando Municipal Station; Armoury Vault Raided of Dozens of Firearms, Over 4,000 Rounds of Ammo

By —
Image
UPDATE 8:  Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has revealed that stolen firearms may have been leaving the San Fernando Municipal Police Station and being sold on the black market for months. Speaking to reporters after a sod-turning ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn, South Park, San Fernando, on Wednesday 22nd April, 2026, the Prime Minister disclosed that early findings suggest a prolonged pattern of illegal activity involving weapons stored at the station. According to her, information gathered so far indicates the removal and sale of firearms was not a recent development, but a sustained operation that may have gone undetected for as long as eight (8) months. The Prime Minister suggested that the duration of the alleged activity points to significant lapses in oversight. Meanwhile, Head of the Municipal Police, Surrendra Sagramsingh, has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. UPDATE 7:  The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS...
Read more