Derry City and Strabane District Council is continuing to offer its support to those affected by the recent flooding with the two Flood Help Centres at YMCA Drumahoe and the Community Centre in Eglinton remaining open throughout the week and over the weekend.
The two centres will open on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm to continue to allow people to get the support and advice they need as they work to put their lives together after the floods of last week.
The Council offices will also remain open during these times to facilitate requests for assistance and to help those wishing to avail of the Emergency Fund Scheme that is in place. People who have not yet registered for assistance are encouraged to do so by contacting us at 028 71253253 so their premises can be assessed.
The Ulster Farmers Union along with DAERA are holding a number of advice clinics, offering practical help to those affected by the flash floods, the clinics will run from 9 am to 5pm at the following locations -Wednesday 30/8/17- Glenelly House,Plumbridge; Thursday 31/8/17- YMCA, Drumahoe Community Hall, Eglinton and Friday 1/9/17- Strabane UFU Office.
It is anticipated that a series of drop-in advice surgeries will also be organised at various centres across the Council area next week as part of our ongoing efforts to provide help and support to those affected.
To date all the properties registered for the Emergency Payment Scheme have been assessed and payments are continuing to be made. A wide range of advice service support and humanitarian support continues to be provided at the two centres and at other locations across the Council area, in particular in rural areas such as Claudy, Plumbridge, Glenelly and Castlederg.
The clean-up work is also continuing cross the Council area with the cleansing team working proactively with all the agencies to assist families clean out their homes and remove the flood debris from across the City and District.
Advice and support continues to be made available farmers and those in rural areas with officers proactively engaging with them to identify their needs and redirect them to the appropriate authority or agency. DAERA are proactively encouraging farmers to seek help and assistance through a number of support channels details of which can be found on their website at www.daera-ni.gov.uk
For businesses who have been affected, unfortunately the Emergency Fund Scheme is not applicable to them and in the absence of a working NI Assembly there is no mechanism in place that will allow the scheme to be extended. Our business support officers will however continue to work on the ground offering support and assistance and providing details of possible rates relief that may be available through Land and Property Services. They are also redirecting businesses to the NI Business website atwww.nibusinessinfo.co.uk where they can get further advice.
One week on since the incident and there remains a very strong emphasis being placed on providing counselling and emotional support for those affected. The special helpline set up by the Western Trust this week will continue to operate Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5pm – Tel 07903990897. Alternatively anyone who finds them in distress or in need of support is urged to contact Lifeline at 0808 808 8000 or the Samaritans at 028 71 265511.
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