JEDDAH: Aid to most of the people displaced by the Nov. 25 flash flooding will come to an end on Thursday with Civil Defense officials asking people to return to their homes.
“This decision applies to all those whose houses were found out to be suitable for their accommodation,” said Civil Defense spokesman Brig. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Qarni.
The spokesman said the residents, whether Saudis or foreigners, whose homes were not yet ready for accommodation would not be forced to return.
“They will continue to live in the furnished apartments and to receive the financial assistance ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (King Abdullah),” he said.
“The other services have been provided in collaboration with the municipality and the Health Affairs Department. The welfare societies will continue to extend assistance and the volunteers will continue their work.”
Meanwhile, residents claim many of the homes and neighborhoods ravaged by the floods are still not ready to receive people.
“The water covered the entire first floor of my building,” said flood victim Hamdan Jaber, who has been living in a rental apartment provided by the government. “It completely damaged the furniture. The apartment was full with mud and water. How can we go back to a house which is not suitable for accommodation and has no furniture?”
Ibrahim Al-Asiri, whose home was also flooded, said his neighborhood still lacks electricity and potable water service. He claims his building’s water tanks are still filled with mud.
“We are willing to go home, but first these homes and the entire area should have all the necessary services: water, electricity, telephones, and others,” he said. “Roads, bridges, electricity must be restored before we are made to return.” The Civil Defense’s Al-Qarni said that most of the houses in the affected areas are now environmentally safe.
Al-Qarni said 6,644 families whose data were proved to be correct were given aid and accommodation. He added that out of 1,670 homes checked, 1,259 of them were found to be suitable for accommodation.
According to him, out of 11,799 real estate units, 7,505 were determined to be eligible for compensation.
Al-Qarni also said that ministry officials would soon begin to determine what to do with students who have begun the school year in temporary classrooms.
