MARIGOT--Sandy Ground and French Quarter are to benefit from the creation of an aid centre in each district to assist victims on a range of issues, not only from the effects of natural catastrophes.
This development was announced by Préfète Déléguée Anne Laubies following a meeting of Comité Local d’Aide aux Victimes (CLAV) on Friday, resulting in the signing of a convention between Collectivité and the Prefecture representing the State.
The two centres are known as Maisons des Service aux Publics (MSAP), part of the Contrat de Ville. Their purpose is to bring aid on numerous subjects closer to the population but is not a substitute for the usual administrative services of the Collectivité. Sandy Ground and French Quarter have been identified as the two districts in most need.
Préfète Laubies said the preparatory work for the two MSAP’s took two years, and noted the timely signing of the convention after this season’s devastating hurricanes when the population’s needs are at their most urgent.
The CLAV, formed on September 27, is a committee composed of several partners specialised in different fields that evaluate the needs of the population. They include representatives from Trait d’Union and France Victime. Assisting victims after a hurricane is one aspect but it can also deal with problems of housing, financial, legal, employment, health, documents, etc.
Training will begin shortly for the employees who will manage these two centres.
