STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO
ON THE HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE
CHEDDI JAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
JANUARY 14, 2010
Over the past two days, we have seen the haunting images; heartbreaking images coming out of Haiti; images of men, women and children in desperate search for food, water and medical care and yet not finding it. Port-au-Prince, which is an important part of Haiti, where about two million people reside, two million of about the ten million people who live in Haiti, has been completely flattened.
I was looking at President (Rene) Preval speaking yesterday and there was this desperate look on his face, a look of frustration, of not being able to respond to people’s needs. He said the most frustrating thing was seeing thousands of people lying in the streets of Haiti needing medical care yet not having anywhere to take them to. We really need in Guyana to help as much as we can, and I urge all Guyanese to be generous in this help. The Government of Guyana has already pledged US$1M. I have put together a national committee that will lead the relief efforts, and I say national because this has no partisanship. All the political parties in Parliament are represented on that committee, the religious faiths and NGOs. We will work together as Guyana to bring as much relief to the people of Haiti as possible.
This country already had a diminished capacity to handle disasters because it is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and that capacity has been further eroded; in fact, totally destroyed. It’s almost like starting from scratch, where there is no functioning Government now in Haiti because of the destruction there. We have to assist the Government to rebuild that capacity and also, to respond to the needs of the people; the desperate needs now. There are still tens of thousands of people who are trapped in buildings. Depending on the urgency of the response, particularly by the industrialized world, because they would have to fly equipment in and stuff like that into Haiti and maybe, move some on large vessels, then those people could live or die, depending on the pace and movement of the international community. I urge everyone, nationally and also internationally, to move swiftly to assist Haiti
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President stresses swift response needed to reduce loss of lives
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
President Bharrat Jagdeo, before departing Guyana today, promised that Guyana’s effort to assist Haiti during this time of crisis will be a national one involving all of the Parliamentary opposition parties, all religious faiths and both local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“I have put together a national committee that will lead the relief efforts, and I say national because this has no partisanship. All the political parties in Parliament are represented on that committee, the religious faiths and NGOs. We will work together as Guyana to bring as much relief to the people of Haiti as possible,” he stated.
The Head of State expressed deep sadness at the disaster, and urged all Guyanese to be generous in their assistance. He also stressed that the response by the international community to assist Haiti must be swift to reduce the loss of lives.
“There are still tens of thousands of people who are trapped in buildings. Those people could live or die, depending on the pace and movement of the international community. I urge everyone, nationally and also internationally, to move swiftly to assist Haiti.”
He further noted that the capacity of Haiti’s Government to respond to the crisis, which was diminished because it is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been totally destroyed, and there is also a need to rebuild that capacity.
“We have to assist the Government to rebuild that capacity and also, to respond to the needs of the people,” President Jagdeo said.
The Government of Guyana has pledged US$1M ($200M) towards the Haiti relief effort and has established a national multi-stakeholder committee, headed by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, to oversee Guyana’s assistance.
This committee was established on Wednesday when President Jagdeo organized a meeting with stakeholders at the Office of the President, less than 24 hours after the earthquake had struck. Afterwards, several of the persons present at the meeting were full of praise for the President’s swift action and urged the Guyanese population to lend their support to the people of Haiti in whatever way was possible.
The earthquake which struck Haiti, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, was centered approximately 15 kilometres from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, and struck at around 17:00 hours local time on Tuesday. Most of Port-au-Prince's major landmarks were significantly damaged or destroyed in the earthquake, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, the main jail and at least one hospital Reports are that tens of thousands of people may have died.
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Guyana should be model water conserver…
Agri Minister says at Caribbean Water Initiative seminar
GINA, Georgetown, January 13, 2010
The Ministry of Agriculture is exploring several avenues aimed at making Guyana the model for water resource management in the Caribbean.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud said that in order to achieve this it is crucial to decrease water wastage and increase its conservation.
The minister made the remarks at a Caribbean Water Initiative (CARIWIN) Regional Seminar aimed at building institutional capacity in integrated water management.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud flanked by Director of the CARIWIN Project at McGill University, Dr Chandra Madramootoo (right) and Principal of the CIMH, Dr David Farrell during the two-day Caribbean Water Initiative’s (CARIWIN) Regional Seminar held at the Ministry’s boardroom. January 14, 2010
The programme is being undertaken in Guyana, Grenada and Jamaica to improve existing capacity by involving local community organisation, water use associations and regional and national networks.
Minister Persaud noted that CARIWIN is a unique project which addresses emerging issues affecting the strategic management of water.
Referring to Guyana’s flood situation, he stated that although it is one of the main assets, water can also be the greatest liability.
Having made tremendous investment in water for human consumption, irrigation, agriculture and other purposes, Minister Persaud said it is imperative to now examine ways to manage this precious resource.
With Guyana one meter below sea level, water management is even more critical since 80 percent of its population resides along the low coastal plain and 75 percent of its agricultural activities are conducted there.
“We are looking at utilising our resources in a sustainable manner so partnering with this programme would assist in dealing with critical issues because of our limited availability of expertise,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Director of the CARIWIN Project at McGill University, Dr Chandra Madramootoo, said the perspectives on water management garnered from the three countries of study will provide a broad base of understanding in assessing the entire Caribbean.
Stakeholders in attendance at the two-day Caribbean Water Initiative’s (CARIWIN) Regional Seminar held at the Ministry’s boardroom. January 14, 2010
Dr Madramootoo noted that the Caribbean Water Initiative is a six-year project with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) as its main partner.
The programme focuses on decision making for integrated water resource management and data collection and analysis.
It promotes coordinated management of water, land and related resources without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
Dr Madramootoo disclosed that water management is important since it encapsulates issues such as flood, wastage, drought, ecosystem degradation, loss of productivity and structural damage to property.
He mentioned that providing good quality water in rural areas that are far removed from centralised resources and conserving water as food security is vital to flood disaster preparedness.
Dr Madramootoo, who is experienced in water policy, stressed that given urban expansion, Guyana’s infrastructural design with its old engineering approaches is long outdated.
However, he disclosed that changes in the hydrologic and climate regime would pose challenges in building a community water strategy with weather-based risk assessment and insurance models.
In his remarks, Principal of the CIMH, Dr David Farrell revealed that CARIWIN is in its third year and seeks to increase capacity of countries to deliver equitable and sustainable water.
Dr Farrell said the Caribbean is a good launching pad for the project to recognize its goals and objectives.
He further stressed that the aim is to make the water sector extremely vibrant and secure community involvement in water conservation.
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Mahaicony Branch Road completed
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
The Ministry of Public Works and Communication has successfully completed the construction of the Mahaicony Branch Road at a cost of $175M. This completion adds to the numerous roads constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated by the Administration to improve the transportation network.
The construction of the 6.2 miles road commenced in April 2009 and was completed on January 10, 2010. The road which was previously constructed using chip sealing now benefits from three layers of white sand, as its base, loam, crusher-run and asphalt concrete on the surface.
Design Engineer of the Ministry, Keeraj Bisesar, noted that this type of construction will lengthen the life span of the road. He noted that the asphalt concrete will prevent water penetration adding to the durability of the structure.
Mahaicony is a largely rice farming area and as such the new road will aid in the hazard free transport of combines, tractors and other large machinery. In addition the approximately 500 residents will benefit from the road.
It was revealed at a farmers’ meeting held last Sunday that 230 roads to be constructed this year. In addition 600 community roads on the coast are under construction.
On the East Bank Demerara the four-lane road will be expanded from Providence to Great Diamond. This will be done to facilitate the growing housing scheme at Diamond.
Major rehabilitation will take place on the East and West Canje roads and US$7M will be expended on the Black Bush Polder Road.
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PM, Human Services Minister assure of Gov’t commitment to more education sector development
-during visit to Kildonan Primary school, Region Six
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
In an effort to ensure schools countrywide are fully equipped with the basic necessities to ensure all Guyana’s children receive quality education from nursery to university, Government continues to invest huge allocations to maintain the sector.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand inspect computer lab during visit to Kildonan Primary school, Region Six
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand during Government’s Cabinet meeting on January 12, visited the Kildonan Primary School, Region Six, (EastBerbice/Courentyne).
The visit was highly appreciated by the students who expressed gratitude for Government’s contribution to the school over the year, enabling it to be better equipped with a computer lab with high speed internet access, a modern library and proper canteen facility.
Prime Minister Hinds greets teacher during visit to the Kildonan Primary School
Prime Minister Hinds while addressing the students and teachers said that it is Government’s policy to ensure that all Guyana’s children receive quality education despite race, colour or creed.
“It is in this vein the huge allocations are invested and continue to be invested to the sector in each budgetary allocation. Our children are the future and their future will shape the economy,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that this is to ensure that the future generations are well taken care of.
The Human Services Minister said that she is pleased to see that children are attending school regularly and told them of Government’s plan to secure.
“There are huge allocations set aside for your future and I assure you that this year’s budgetary allocation to the education sector will be brighter.”
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand being greeted by a student of the Kildonan Primary School
However, requests were made by students to have a photocopying machine which will facilitate them with access to their test papers and a play field. The officials gave Government’s commitment of ensuring that their requests would be addressed.
Minister Manickchand warned the school’s administration that students must not be prohibited from writing examination if they are unable to pay for test papers.
She noted that the students are Guyana’s future generation and their education and knowledge will help structure a better nation. Prime Minister Hinds assured that they will get a play field.
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GWI repaired over 19, 000 leaks in 2009
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) during 2009 recorded a total of 19, 393 leak repairs conducted by the agency as it sought to reduce water wastage throughout the country.
According to a release from the agency, approximately 18, 231 (94%) complaints were reported for small leaks while a total of 1,162 (6%) were for large leaks. This in turn has enabled the company to meet its target with a 97 percent (1,126) and a 95 percent (17, 394) respectively of large and small leak complaints being resolved.
It noted that at the divisional level, all divisions met their targets. Division 3-East Coast Demerara continued to receive overwhelming complaints. A total of 99.5 percent (381) and 99.6 percent (6,887) small and large leak complaints respectively for the division were resolved.
In relation to response time, the agency stated that this has improved significantly with reports being cleared in less than five days.
The percentage of small leak reports cleared in less than five days has increased from 40 percent in January to more than 80 percent in December, 2009. For large leak reports, the percentage increased from 33 in January to 74 percent in December, 2009, the agency said.
Below are tables showing percentage of leak repairs which were resolved over the past few months by GWI in various areas.
The reduction of non-revenue water is part of the GWI’s 2008-2010 strategic ‘Turn Around Plan’ to ensure that its consumers benefit from better and safer water supplied. The agency is geared to reduce non-revenue water from 60 percent to 25 percent in the coming months.
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Finance Minister launches Haiti Relief Fund
- Presents $205M cheque to committee
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
A concerted effort to assist Haiti, recently devastated by an earthquake has resulted in Government pledging $205M to the national relief effort. Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, earlier today, presented the cheque to Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand.
“It has been a long time since our region has faced a tragedy such as this and I think it is important that we demonstrate as a Guyanese people our resolve to respond in an appropriate manner and that we demonstrate the generosity for which we are known as a country and as a people,” Minister Singh said.
The cheque represents the fulfillment of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge of support to Haiti and also the first deposit in the relief fund set up for Haiti. Minister Singh urged that persons contribute generously to the fund for which the account has been set up at Republic Bank as the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Account number 119-900-9.
Following a meeting yesterday with stakeholders convened by President Bharrat Jagdeo, a Committee was established to spearhead the effort which saw support from all stakeholders including the parliamentary parties, representatives of religious and faith based organisations, and non-governmental organisations.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh hands over the cheque for $200M to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand who chairs the National Committee for Haiti Relief
“The President announced his intention, after of course having received feedback and support from those gathered, the President announced his intention to lead through Government a national effort so that we can be coordinated in our response so that we can optimize and be as efficient as possible in our response and most importantly so that we can present a strong, and positive and immediate and timely and effective Guyanese response to the tragedy,” Minister Singh said.
Recalling a visit to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sister country after being appointed to his current post, Minister Singh stated that he remembered “the beauty of the country, the hospitality of the people, their courage and optimism, even as they faced difficulties economic and otherwise even at that time, their great courage and optimism and their huge talent in every respect”.
Noting that Haiti is a very highly valued bilateral partner and an important member of CARICOM, Minister Singh pointed out that the response across the Region has been one of unanimous support.
“Haiti is a sister member of Caricom, a very important member of the Caribbean region, a very highly valued bilateral partner to Guyana,” Minister Singh said.
The Finance Minister pointed out that during the initial stages, having heard about the earthquake, it was hoped that the occurrence would have had minimal impact but that hope was quickly replaced with the discovery that the devastation was widespread.
“I believe all Guyanese, indeed people across the world would have been transfixed by the images of devastation, crumbled infrastructure, people struggling for their lives, the rush in fact to save lives and the very clear reality that the impact of this natural disaster was of a magnitude that for a very long time will remain with the people of Haiti,” Minister Singh said.
Noting the unanimity with which the President’s initiative received support Minister Singh noted that this augurs well for the support.
The unanimity, with which this support was expressed, can only augur well for the quality of response that we offer as a country to our brothers and sisters in Haiti and in making this first contribution I would want to urge the widest possible support for this national effort”, the Finance Minister noted.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand who chairs the committee noted that the Committee is committed to ensuring that Guyana’s response is reflective of the way the Guyanese people feel about the tragedy.
The Committee will be embarking on a series of activities to assist the nation of Haiti including the hosting of a telethon on the National Communications Network (NCN) Inc. Channel 11 at 19:00 h (7 pm) this evening to allow Guyanese to make their contributions to the national effort.
The Committee will also be making appeals through the newspapers and a website which will be established shortly. Members of the Committee include representatives of each parliamentary political party, a representative of the three main religious groups, three representatives of the NGOs, and two representatives of the Government.
“The intention was, as it was expressed by persons yesterday who called for this, to have all efforts, every collection effort channelled to this one fund, the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti sent from the nation of Guyana to the Nation of Haiti, sent from the people of Guyana to the people of Haiti so all efforts even if they are individual efforts in the sense of persons may very well be wanting to contribute or to make their donations to the church, the local church or the local organisations, that those organisations would all be accountable to the National Committee for Haiti Relief,” Minister Manickchand said.
Haiti was struck by an earthquake at around 17:00 h on Tuesday, January 12, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale centered approximately 15 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital damaging most of the city.
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Series of activities to mark 40th Republic anniversary
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
Several initiatives have been planned by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport to emphasise the significance of Guyana’s 40th Republic anniversary to be celebrated under the theme “Embracing our diversity, celebrating our heritage”. These include the Calypso, Chutney and Children’s Costume Competitions and the launching of the Guyana Classics Series, whereby the first 12 of 36 books identified, will be launched, published through the Ministry’s Caribbean Publishing House.
Providing an update to the media today at the Ministry, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said that other activities include a Mashramani magazine, a series of debates, spearheaded by the University of Guyana, a book exhibition, roundtable discussions on the 40 years as a republic, hosting of a culinary exhibition in collaboration with Carnegie School of Home Economics, a photographic exhibition at the National Museum and hosting of an essay competition in secondary schools and a child art competition in private schools.
Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and Representative of the Ministry of Education, Desree Wells
Minister Anthony indicated that media updates would be provided on a regular basis to keep people aware of developments at the Ministry in relation to the national celebration.
To emphasize this milestone the ministry is working to get 40 groups, or more as a part of the parade, a move to show patriotism and confirmation of more than 24 ministries and companies to participate in the Mash day parade.
With respect to the three key competitions, a list of 25 competitors has been finalized, including six females. The festival band in this regard will be Mingles Sound Machine.
On January 18 rehearsals will begin and the first public competition will be the semi-finals on February 13 at the Blairmont Ground, West Berbice. There also will be the HIV song competition, the winner of which will be a guest artiste at the finals to be held on February 21 at Thirst Park where regional and international artistes will be performing.
For the chutney competition, the invitation was extended to interested bands and performers to participate. Auditions for the competition will be held for Regions 2 and 3 on Saturday at 10:00 h at Uitvlugt Community Center Ground; at 16:30 h at Fort Wellington for Regions 5 and 6 and for Region 4, auditions will be held at 17:00 h at the Umana Yana. For the Chutney competition, there will only be finals. The festival band will be Caribbean Hotshots.
Many Guyanese in the Diaspora would like to come back to Guyana and showcase their talent in this competition. Seven applications have been submitted thus far. Interested parties are responsible for their own expense.
Minister Anthony sees this development as a welcome feature to the celebrations.
In conjunction with the chutney competition on February 19 there will be a Curry Competition.
Desree Wells, in charge of the Ministry of Education’s Children’s costume competition noted that the activity is an institutionalised part of Mash activities and the competition will be held, traditionally, in all regions of the country and strategies are in place to deal with overcrowding and have the competition conducted at an elevated standard. The ministry is in the process of discussing sponsorship from companies, in the private sector, to finance the costumes.
Regarding the parade, there is a thrust to recognize the 40 years and discussions are ongoing with the Guyana Defence Force to provide a marching band. There is hope to have the involvement of the schools’ orchestra and choir.
The Junior Calypso Competition will be held on January 30 at the National Cultural Center and the Minister applauded the fact that local Calypsonians have been having Mash tents and caravans in the city. The minister believes that this is a good private initiative, part of the creative industry and an income generating activity.
Other developments to become visible include the hosting of a best decorated building competition.
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Number 63 Beach gets new facilities
Georgetown, GINA, Jan 13, 2010
As a benchmark of government and private sector cooperation and another outstanding development in tourism in Berbice, three pavilions, three benabs, lavatory facilities, changing rooms and water tanks have been installed at the popular No. 63 Beach, Corentyne.
Minister Manniram Prashad and students of Tagore Memorial Secondary School, at commissioning of recreational facilties at 63 Beach
The facilities were commissioned on Tuesday, during the Cabinet Outreach to Region Six. President Bharrat Jagdeo applauded the effort, which is as a result of collaboration among several entities including the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Nand Persaud and Cortours.
Present to perform the official handing over of the facilities to the Beach Committee was Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad. On the suggestion that a fee be charged to access the beach, he stressed that the Jagdeo Administration will not allow that to happen.
The development of tourism in Berbice continues to grow, with recent strides made at Cow Falls, Orealla and Zambisi Island, with new and enhanced facilities, for locals, regional and international tourists and overseas based Guyanese, in general and Berbicians, in particular.
Minister Prashad highlighted the fact that he recently witnessed several Dutch tourists enjoying Guyanese cuisine on the Corentyne coast, an indication that Guyana has the potential to tap into an even larger market, in Suriname, and Holland by extension.
New changing room and toilet structures on 63 Beach
Viewing the facilities as just a start in the process of modernization and improved standards on the beach, which hosts approximately 2000 persons every weekend, indications suggest bigger and better things to come for the county.
The minister stressed the importance of entrepreneurism, creativity and innovation for the development of more facilities on the beach, many of them sophisticated, in the form of showers and restaurants. He encouraged investors not to be afraid to take risks, to prepare groundwork, since this is the nature of private sector growth.
This is the largest beach in the Caribbean, 10 miles long and is the only beach that cars can safely drive on, all the way to the water front. With a nine-hour drive to Brazil, Guyana has the ability to attract tourists to these locations and be an excellent transition point for persons traveling through the South American continent.
63 Beach, Region 6
The Minister also noted that in Guyana, 98% of tourism activities, locations and services are owned and operated by Guyanese, a significant dimension to the overall growth and prosperity of Guyana’s gradually diverse economy.
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Agri Minister directs Rice Board to ensure MRL pays rice farmers early
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
Following representation made by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, the Mahaicony Rice Ltd (MRL) has given the guarantee that it will pay rice farmers. This pledge came following a discussion between the Rice Producers' Association (RPA) and the company after representation was made to Minister Persaud.
The Agriculture Ministry said that the RPA has received assurances from the Bankers associated with MRL that resources have been allocated for this crop to ensure payment to rice farmers.
It was indicated that proceeds from the sale of cargo rice worth US$3M will be utilized to offset outstanding payments to farmers for the last crop which will commence next week and will continue over a
five-week period.
Further, the Association will continue to work with rice farmers to ensure farmers are compensated for their produce when delivered to rice mills. The Ministry said that the Agriculture Minister has mandated the Guyana Rice Development Board to interact with farmers to discuss possible issues relating to payment and cultivation of the current crop.
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National Relief Committee garner funds for earthquake devastated Haiti
-hosts telethon
Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010
Officials of Government, religious organizations, political parties, the private sector, and civil society this evening alternated in varying panels on the National Communications Network discussing the devastating earthquake in Haiti as the National Relief Committee for Haiti sought to raise funds for the island where tens of thousands of people are suspected to have died.
Among those on the panels were Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, who is heading the National Relief Committee, Ministers of Transport and Hydraulics and Amerindian Affairs Robeson Benn and Pauline Sukhai respectively, Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin, Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira, GAP/ROAR member Everall Franklin, PNCR members Dr. Faith Harding and Basil Williams and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerald Gouveia.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand interacts with volunteers during the pledging exercise at the National Communications Network (NCN)
Minister Manickchand urged society to contribute to the worthy cause, since this tragedy can apply to anyone. She noted that individuals and organisations have already donated supplies to the country through monetary donations, food items, fuel and water.
“This gesture is not surprising because Guyana is known for its generosity to give to others and so Guyanese are coming out in their numbers to contribute to Haiti,” the Minister said.
The Human Services Minister stressed that Government will accept whatever little people can give to the country which will benefit the survivors.
“On Government’s side we will ensure that we (country) are fully transparent and accountable and every two to three days the nation will be informed of the amount of money have been acquired to assist in the country’s recovery,” Minister Manickchand said.
A section of the volunteers during the fund raising effort for Haiti
Opposition Leader Corbin while urging Guyanese to support the effort noted that his party is part of the relief effort to the devastated victims because of the priority and the urgency.
“The PNC is very happy to be part of this National Committee and to participate in this event,” he said.
Meanwhile, Imaam Mohammad Haniff expressed his appreciation to the Government of Guyana for its generosity to Haiti in its time of need.
“We should all join in the fight and support the Government of Guyana; the people of Haiti needs us and the children especially need us,” Imaam Haniff noted.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerald Gouveia said the private sector is looking at how it can contribute to the relief effort. He said that BK International has already put one of its ships on standby to transport stuff to Haiti and the private sector is looking at sourcing fuel for the ship. Edward Beharry, he said has earmarked a container of food stuff to be sent.
As a response to the devastating effects of Tuesday’s earthquake on Haiti, the Government of Guyana committed US$1M towards assistance for the island territory and established the multi-stakeholder committee, to oversee the effort following the meeting of various stakeholders, which included the opposition political parties, religious organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), at the Office of the President on Wednesday.
President Bharrat Jagdeo said, “I was deeply shocked and saddened at the extent of the destruction caused by the catastrophic earthquake which devastated our sister nation of Haiti yesterday. The haunting images of bodies, injured persons and ruined buildings struck a chord of compassion throughout our nation for the people of Haiti.”
“Haiti as the poorest country in the western hemisphere is now severely challenged to cope with this tragedy. Haiti needs all countries, including the small developing countries to come to its aid urgently.”
The earthquake, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, was centered approximately 15 kilometres from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, and struck at around 17:00 h local time on Tuesday.
Minister Manickchand noted that the relief efforts will be two-pronged: immediate assistance will focus on relieving the ongoing human suffering while the long-term effort will seek to rebuild the country.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, earlier today, presented the $205M cheque to Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief, Minister Manickchand.
“It has been a long time since our region has faced a tragedy such as this and I think it is important that we demonstrate as a Guyanese people our resolve to respond in an appropriate manner and that we demonstrate the generosity for which we are known as a country and as a people,” Minister Singh said.
The cheque represents the fulfillment of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge of support to Haiti and also the first deposit in the relief fund set up for Haiti.
An account has been set up at Republic Bank as the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Account number 119-900-9.
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