Gov’t pledges initial US$50,000 in hurricane relief

By Stabroek News On In Guyana News |
President David Granger (centre at right side of table) convened a high-level Ministerial Meeting to discuss Guyana’s response to hurricane-hit territories of the Caribbean region. The high-level team included: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Minister with Responsibility for the Public Service, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.  (Ministry of the Presidency photo)
President David Granger (centre at right side of table) convened a high-level Ministerial Meeting to discuss Guyana’s response to hurricane-hit territories of the Caribbean region. The high-level team included: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Minister with Responsibility for the Public Service, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.  (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

The Government of Guyana yesterday pledged an initial sum of US$50,000 ($10.4m) to aid relief efforts via the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) regional mechanism after Hurricane Irma smashed through several islands including St Martin and Tortola which have large numbers of Guyanese.

A Ministry of the Presidency press release yesterday said that further assistance will be determined subsequent to the completion of a Needs Assessment. The aid announcement was made yesterday  following a high-level meeting convened by President David Granger at State House. The press release said that the Head of State has tasked the team with ensuring that Guyana’s response also “comprehensively addresses” the needs of Guyanese citizens, who are residing in the affected territories.

In addition, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will Head a Ministerial Task Force that will be responsible for oversight of the efforts of the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) National Risk Reduction Platform.

“We are concerned about our Nationals