The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity (Mr A. Subron): Yes, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, let me first inform the House that my Ministry is considering the setting up of a fund to compensate victims of climate-related disasters, first and foremost, to bereaved families who have lost their beloved ones and to people who have lost basic necessities and properties during a flood or any other climate-related disasters. Madam Speaker, this Government, conscious of the deepening of the impact of the climate crisis on our people, made an electoral pledge in the PTr/MMM/ND/ReA Electoral Agreement to set up a permanent compensation system for reparation to victims. Contrary to the previous Government, we do not intend to address this issue on an ad hoc, piecemeal basis. As soon as the mechanism and the financing of such a compensation scheme be discussed and finalised within Government, we will be in a position to specify the beneficiaries and its retroactive application to past victims, including those who suffered damages caused by the flash floods to the residences of Morcellement Mont Plaisir in Fond Du Sac prior to November 2024. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that presently, in accordance with the First Schedule of the Social Aid Regulations (1984), only the following allowances are payable by Government for cyclones and floods through my Ministry – (i) a cyclone allowance of Rs250 per person per night spent at evacuee centres, and (ii) a flood allowance of Rs250 per member of a family per day for a maximum of three days subject to a police memo certifying that their premises have been flooded and their foodstuffs have been damaged. Madam Speaker, in this context, I am informed that following torrential rains in 2019 at Fond Du Sac, the Ministry has effected payment of the above food allowance to the tune of Rs79,352 to 141 households. Additionally, ad hoc compensation of Rs6,000 per adult and Rs3,000 per child under 18 years was paid to them. Funds were received from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and a total amount of Rs1,761,000 was paid to 99 households by my Ministry. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Yes?

50

Can the hon. Minister clarify whether a formal assessment of the damages was conducted at Fond Du Sac, as mentioned by the former Government, and if so, will the findings be tabled?

Thank you. As for the flood allowance that I mentioned, the assessment has been made by the Police; the Police memo certifying that their premises have been flooded and their foodstuffs have been damaged. So, this allowance is paid by my Ministry. As for the fund payable from Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, I am not aware of the criteria upon which the assessment was made but I will look into it and come back to the hon. Member in due course.

Yes, hon. Second Member for Grand Baie and Poudre d'Or! VINGT PIEDS ROAD, GRAND’ BAIE & CAP MALHEUREUX – RESURFACING WORKS