Guyana will be providing assistance to its sister CARICOM states recently hit by Hurricane Beryl and relief supplies went by plane to Grenada yesterday.
A statement from the government yesterday said that Prime Minister Mark Phillips has been tasked to spearhead the relief efforts. He was appointed to lead Guyana’s response efforts, by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Irfaan Ali, who currently serves as the Chairman of CARICOM.
Phillips has so far coordinated with multiple agencies, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Civil Defence Commis-sion (CDC), and private sector groups, to provide assistance to Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to the release, the first shipment of relief aid was handed over yesterday to Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James at the Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada.
This initial consignment comprises vital items such as generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene products, and other necessities critical for immediate relief and recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Guyana is mobilising more supplies for shipment to include chainsaws, mattresses, tarpaulins, rice, sugar, flour, plywood, black water tanks, lumber, zinc sheets and other roofing material.
In addition to the swift action taken in the face of the crisis, the PM emphasised government’s commitment to community solidarity in response to regional challenges. “In these trying times, it is imperative that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Caribbean family. Guyana is committed to supporting our sister countries, providing not only immediate relief but also assistance in rebuilding and resilience efforts.”
As such, “the Government of Guyana, in partnership with local and regional agencies, remain steadfast in its commitment to aid Grenada and other affected territories.”
The release noted that Hurricane Beryl, which rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm, wreaked havoc across Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. It made “devastating” landfall in the Windward Islands on Monday and has claimed lives while leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. And as the region braces for further impacts from Hurricane Beryl, the Government and people of Guyana’s thoughts and prayers are with its Caribbean brothers and sisters, the release added.
In a separate release, the GDF said that the flight, 8R-GWJ, departed Eugene F. Correia International Airport at 0930 hrs with Colonel Nazrul Hussain, Director General of the CDC and a three-man flight crew commanded by Major Lloyden Layne and second-in-command Major Daryl Britton along with the third crew Sergeant Dexroy Fields and arrived in Grenada at 1155 hrs where the essential supplies were delivered.
This humanitarian effort is not the first for Guyana, as the nation was actively involved in relief efforts during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
“Such experiences have fortified the GDF’s readiness and ability to respond effectively to natural disasters within the region. The GDF continues to work closely with regional and national emergency response agencies, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate relief efforts and ensure timely support reaches those in need”, the release said.
