Donations are flowing in as 20 persons out of the 55, who are now homeless as a result of the Easter Monday Barrack Street, Kingston Fire, are now being housed at the Guyana Relief Council’s (GRC) temporary shelter.
According to a GRC press release, these persons were all granted a two-week stay at the shelter, after which their circumstances will be reviewed to decide the way forward.
Previously, the GRC had informed the public that 19 persons opted to stay at the shelter on the evening of the incident. It had also appealed to the general public for assistance in cash or kind to help make the lives of the victims more comfortable.
In response to this appeal, Indrawattie Flaks and North American Resources donated monetary funds; HA Snacks and Alicia Young donated food items; Nolan and Jacqueline Hendricks donated one kerosene stove; BACIF assisted with toiletries; and other persons donated used clothing. Digicel Guyana Inc also yesterday made a monetary donation and contributed other items to the GRC as well as to the remaining victims at the Kingston site. Representatives from the telecommunication company visited the shelter and personally handed over cell phones to all the adults staying there.
GRC expressed gratitude to all of the above-mentioned donors who assisted in various ways.
The GRC is also reiterating its appeal to the general public and the business community at large to contribute towards restoring the livelihood of those persons who suffered in the tragedy, as well as to other families recently affected by disaster who are currently being served by the council. Material support to the GRC may include, but is not limited to toiletries – soap, toilet paper, pampers, sanitary napkins; and cleaning agents – mops, buckets; clothing; and kitchen utensils.
On Easter Monday afternoon the two-storey building at the south-eastern corner of High and Barrack streets, which was condemned as dangerous by the City Council and the Guyana Fire Service, was completely gutted by fire, leaving dozens homeless and destroying huge amounts in valuables and household items.
The fire started some time after 2 pm and was brought under control by the Guyana Fire Service at about 3.15 pm. Nearby buildings were also scorched.
