A disaster response training exercise being conducted by the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRSC) will benefit some 2,500 residents (500 families) in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The communities that will benefit from the programme are Imbotero and Smith’s Creek (Barima River) in Region 1; Kaiburi and Friendship (Pomeroon River) in Region 2; Crane and Meten-Meer-Zorg (West Coast Demerara) in Region 3; Albouystown, Lodge and Ruimveldt in Region 4; and Moraikobai in Region 5.
According a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, First Aid and Occupational Health Safety (OHS) Coordinator of the GRSC De Vaugh Lewis said the programme was in response to the severe damage done to housing, livestock, farms and cash crops following the July 2015 flooding. He said it was observed that many communities were being overlooked, so the GRSC dispatched teams to meet with local authorities and coordinate within the communities in order to provide assistance and conduct field visits and assessments.
Utilising a donation of 148,142 Swiss francs from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the GRSC in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) the Regional Democratic Councils, the Ministry of the Presidency and the Environmental Protection Agency, implemented a programme to deliver disaster risk management aid from 1 August 2015. Lewis explained that the exercise includes training in disaster response, first aid and CPR, water and sanitation hygiene and road and boat safety. It will conclude on 31 October 2015 with the distribution of 1000 mosquito nets, 500 water filters and 500 jerry cans.
