Government officially handed over the final tranche of the distribution of food supplies to North Pakaraimas communities to the village toshaos after providing supplies valued $18M to communities affected by La Nina.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Perma-nent Secretary at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Colin Croal told a meeting comprising toshaos of Kopinang, Kaibarupai and Waipa: Regis Cyprian, Vernon Austin and Paul Andrew respectively, that of the $18M invested in relief efforts, $3M was spent on food for Kopinang which boasts one of the largest populations in the North Pakaraimas. The other communities have a total population of about 800 persons and food items are to be distributed equally among households.
Croal also noted that while government is providing basic food items as short-term relief for the loss of crops caused by flooding owing to La Nina conditions earlier in the year, it is also making long-term provisions through visionary projects. Government has tasked Amerindian communities with preparing Community Development Plans that will be financed by funds from an agreement between the governments of Guyana and Norway. In this regard, he congratulated the toshaos for completing their plans. He also reminded them of the imminent National Toshaos Conference and noted that they will once again have the opportunity to interact with the president and Cabinet about their communities’ needs.
PPP/C MP Dharamkumar Seeraj, during interactions with the residents highlighted that climate change is already adversely affecting the nation, causing El Nino conditions on the coastland and La Nina in the hinterland. He said the resources in the forested areas owned by Amerindians are important and urged them to utilise these resources in a sustainable manner.
GINA said PPP/C MP Albert Austin also attended the meeting which was hosted in the Kopinang community hut. The ministry will also be distributing items to South Pakaraimas communities, namely Karasabai, Rukumutu, Tiger Pond, Taushida, Tipuru, Yurong Paru, and Pai Pang.
