Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, held a press conference, today at the seat of his Ministry in Port Louis.
The aim was to provide details regarding support measures which will be provided by Government to affected citizens following the advent of Tropical Cyclone Belal, and for which a package of some Rs 1 billion has been earmarked.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo was also present. Minister Padayachy highlighted that, since the country went through difficult times with Tropical Cyclone Belal, Government decided to provide support to all citizens who were affected and suffered losses during that period.
He pointed out that financial support will be provided to families who suffered from an electrical blackout for at least 12 consecutive hours. Some 50,000 families are concerned and will be granted Rs 2,000 as from next week to account for food which has perished, he stated.
Speaking about damages incurred by vehicle owners on 15 January 2024, Minister Padayachy recalled that the Financial Services Commission (FSC) has set up a helpdesk for flooded vehicles.
He underlined that Government, through the FSC, will provide financial support to all persons whose vehicle has been damaged. This measure concerns vehicles which are totally or partially damaged, whether fully or third-party insured.
As such, if a vehicle is fully insured, Government will ensure that owners receive the amount for which it is insured, or bear the cost of repairs if the vehicle can be repaired.
For third-party insured vehicles, he observed, the FSC will evaluate the damages and either refund the owners whose vehicles have been completely damaged with an amount equivalent to the valuation or provide owners with the amount deemed necessary to repair their vehicle.
Government will provide this support immediately and will later, through the FSC, recover the money from insurance companies, he remarked. Furthermore, Dr Padayachy spoke about measures brought about for small planters, fishermen, breeders, and honey producers, amongst others.
These measures, according to him, are as follows: planters registered with the Small Farmers Welfare Fund will receive Rs 10,000 per arpent; a special support of up to Rs 50,000 to sheltered farmers to incur cost of repairs; breeders will receive a special grant which varies from Rs 10,000 to 25,000 for loss of cattle due to Tropical Cyclone Belal; Rs 10,000 will be granted to fishermen to repair damages caused by the cyclone to their boats; and registered honey producers will receive Rs 5,000 for a each bee colony (a maximum of five) lost during the cyclone.
In addition, the Finance Minister informed that the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM) will introduce a new loan scheme for planters, fishermen, breeders and micro enterprises affected by the cyclone.
They will be able to contract a loan of up to Rs 500,000 with interest rate of 1% per annum, he indicated. More information will be provided as from next week in the various DBM offices across the island.
Minister Padayachy underscored that, as far as public infrastructure is concerned, Government has earmarked some Rs 500 million for repair works to be undertaken.
For her part, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo dwelt on a series of measures to accompany and support those affected by Tropical Cyclone Belal. She outlined that the flood allowance and the cyclone allowance will be given to all persons who spent the night in one of the 163 centres across the island.
The cyclone allowance of Rs 250 per person will be paid to families who spent one night in any centre, while the flood allowance of Rs 250 per person will be paid to families for a maximum of three days, she added.
The payment of these allowances, she affirmed, has already started at the Municipal Council of Port Louis. To date, she stated, some 450 applications have been received in Port Louis in addition to some 533 in other regions of the island.
Moreover, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo observed that 83 families registered on the Social Register of Mauritius are being taken care of by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF).
She also indicated that school materials will be provided by the NEF to children who had to stay in centres due to the cyclone, while food packs will be distributed to those who had to take shelter in centres during the cyclone.
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