The Civil Defence Com-mission (CDC) on Monday made a timely donation of COVID-19 relief supplies to the residents of the remote indigenous community of Masakenari, in Region Nine.
Despite not recording any COVID-19 cases thus far, Director General of the CDC Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig told Stabroek News that based on an assessment that was done, the community has been identified as one of the most heavily impacted indigenous communities in the country given the remoteness of the village.
He explained that the remoteness of the community meant that residents would not have access to emergency support when needed and would have to travel to Lethem for food supplies and other necessary items.
While in the community, he was told of several concerns but the most pressing was the lack of food and other necessary supplies. However, this was addressed since the donation of relief supplies was the main purpose for visiting the community.
According to a CDC press release, at least 60 households in Masakenari benefitted from the relief supplies that were handed over to Toshao Paul Chekema.
“The village which is located at the source of the Essequibo River and boasts a Wai-Wai and Macushi heritage, immediately received face masks along with cleaning and food supplies and a quantity of Vitamin C for use by villagers who are impacted by the travel and trade restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toshao Mr. Paul Chekema received the donations on behalf of the community at the benab (meeting place) in the presence of the Village Council and villagers and expressed his gratitude for the much needed and timely intervention,” the release stated.
As he spoke to the residents, Craig appealed to them to be vigilant and to observe the COVID-19 protocols in order to protect themselves and families.
The release added that the supplies are expected to last for a month but the residents were assured that other assistance will be forthcoming as the government, through the CDC, ramps up its Relief Response Programme.
According to the statement, villagers assisted in transporting the supplies from Gunns Strip – the airstrip – into the village some three miles inland and expressed their gratitude at the timely gesture while the toshao informed the Director-General of the constraints facing the village and the services needed to aid them in surviving the pandemic.
Craig assured Chekema that his concerns would be addressed in the shortest possible time.
