(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The Government of Guyana through its Civil Defense Commission (CDC) today received a quantity of food and household supplies from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat to assist with the continuing relief efforts in the wake of massive flooding that has left unprecedented damage in segments of the country.

The hand over was done by Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community H.E Mr. Edwin Carrington and received by Head of the CDC, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup. In the brief ceremony, Secretary-General Carrington thanked the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for making the supplies available and BWIA West Indies Airways for flying them free of cost to Guyana.

The Head of CDC said the Government and people of Guyana appreciate the generosity in this time of need.

"I am very proud of the Caribbean Community which has stood by Guyana in this time of need," said Colonel Ramsarup.

He stressed that the relief effort was continuing on various streams but informed that the most important issue is to rid the land of the floodwaters. He added too that the clean up would be a major challenge, particularly as people prepare themselves to get back to their income generating activities.

Colonel Ramsarup noted that Guyana does not have a history of natural disasters therefore the country was not quite prepared to deal with the flooding that occurred. He however stressed that the tremendous assistance that Guyana is receiving from a number of agencies was most appreciated and was going a long way with the relief exercise.

Contact:

Rose Blenman
rblenman@caricom.org

Carolyn Walcott cwalcott@caricom.org