UNICEF last Friday handed over 100 water tanks to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to support the agency’s response to emergencies.
In a statement, UNICEF said the 450-gallon tanks would be distributed to households affected by flooding, as well as support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring availability of water for infection prevention and control in key areas.
UNICEF Representative Nicolas Pron and United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch handed over the tanks to CDC Director General Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig at the CDC Headquarters.
Pron said UNICEF was pleased to deliver the tanks as they would ensure that children and their families affected by flooding have access to water. “Clean and safe water is essential for children’s health, survival and development,” Pron noted, while adding that the CDC is a valued partner in UNICEF’s Emergency and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in Guyana.
The tanks were procured with support from the United States government through the US Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (USBPRM).
Pron also thanked the US government for its support and partnership in responding to emergencies and ensuring that no child is left behind.
Ambassador Lynch said the US government is proud to partner with UNICEF and the CDC to address the humanitarian needs of Guyanese and migrants.
“The United States Government continues to support the commendable efforts of the Government of Guyana for COVID-19 and other emergency response. These water tanks will increase the accessibility and availability of water in the areas where people are in need,” the Ambassador said at the handing over.
In welcoming the donation, Lieutenant Colonel Craig said its significance must not be downplayed as it will not only ensure adequate and improved water access for households, but it will greatly improve their standards for sanitation and hygiene, thereby helping to reduce the households’ risks to contracting infectious diseases, especially COVID-19. “The CDC commends and must acknowledge UNICEF and the US Government for their roles and partnership in this initiative, which is most definitely not a mere donation, but a tangible contribution towards our national and international goals for disaster resilience and sustainable development,” he added.
According to the statement, the donation of the water tanks complements emergency support provided by UNICEF to the Govern-ment of Guyana. In July, UNICEF provided over 2 million water purification tablets to the CDC as part of the flood response and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has partnered with national authorities on the response to the crisis.
