In an ongoing effort to assist those affected by the coronavirus outbreak, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has partnered with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) to give relief hampers to some 700 persons.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) release stated that the distribution exercise commenced yesterday morning and among the first to benefit from the outreach was the Guyana Society for the Blind, Gifted Hands Learning Centre for Special Needs, The Guyana Deaf Association, and the Vocational Training Centre for Special Needs at Sophia.
The Visually Impaired Association of Guyana, Guyana Blind Cricket Association, and the New Amsterdam Special Needs School are also listed to receive supplies.
Director-General of the CDC Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, who supervised the operations explained that the Commission had been in communication with the GCOPD for the past two weeks to identify and prioritise the various beneficiaries.
“Today we started a series of distribution to over 18 organisations that represent people living with disabilities. These supplies will ease some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he remarked.
Lieutenant Colonel Craig also stated though the supplies will be distributed directly to the organisation, the Commission will also assist in the delivery to some communities with the assistance of the CDC staff and volunteers.
GCOPD Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh, welcomed the donations and told DPI that over 700 persons with disabilities who are affiliated with the council will receive the hampers.
“This will be of great assistance because persons with disabilities [PWDs], like other Guyanese, were severely affected. Most of them are unemployed, so they are even more affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This is a great help!” Singh declared.
He pointed out that the organisation has received several calls from PWDs seeking assistance, but noted that currently, only registered members can benefit from the hampers.
“After this, we can look at registering more people and assistance can be given to them in the future,” Singh assured.
According to Marcia Smith, Founder and Principal of Gifted Hands Learning Centre for Special Needs, the donations will be a blessing to her 24 students. “I thank the government of Guyana and the CDC, for honouring my application…. it will benefit a lot,” the release added.
