The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Monday received emergency relief supplies to the value of $67.5M from the United States Naval Forces Southern Command to strengthen the country’s disaster response capacity. The items were handed over at the CDC’s warehouse, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.
Colonel (Rt’d) and Chairman of the CDC, Chabilall Ramsarup in his brief remarks expressed government’s appreciation to the Southern Command group for boosting the CDC’s capacity, which to date includes the donation of these items as well as training and the construction of the Timehri warehouse.
US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Thomas Pierce highlighted the importance of being able to adapt and respond to disasters, which is a key part of the goals of the US in the Caribbean.
“Partnership is a critical mechanism for effective disaster preparedness and response,” Pierce said.
He disclosed that recently, the US Military Liaison Office (MLO), working in consultation with the CDC, determined which items aligned to the needs of Guyana. The Department of Defence then agreed to Guyana as the destination for the items.
These items in addition to a large amount of high-nutrition meals donated in August will be managed by the CDC until the need arises.
The items which amounted to $67.5M included refrigerators, televisions, bath towels, cots, blankets, gas lanterns, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, bed spreads, generators, cookware, and a forklift, among others, the release stated.
Earlier this year, Guyanese benefitted from medical and other services from the crew aboard the HSV Swift and the USS Iwo Jima, two naval ships which arrived here in August and October respectively, as part of the Southern Partnership Station’s annual deployment exercise to the Caribbean and Latin America.
