— says Minister Priya Manickchand
THE Multi-Stakeholder Committee, established by the Government of Guyana to aid in the after-effects of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday is “quite advanced in its planning,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security Mrs. Priya Manickchand said yesterday.

Speaking with reporters after the conclusion of the first meeting at the Civil Defense Commission (CDC), Thomas Lands, Georgetown, Minister Manickchand – who heads the committee – said the committee yesterday sought to establish a bank account through which donations can be made and to garner other means of facilitating contributions.

According to her, the committee comprises a representative from all the political parties, two members of Cabinet, three from Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and one from each of the three major religious groups.

In an effort to acquire as many donations as possible, the Minister said several telethons will be conducted, advertisements will be made and the internet will be used, and she highlighted that contributions emanating from these means will be in addition to the US$1M pledged by the Guyana Government

She also pointed out that international organisations have “shamefully” pledged much less than Guyana to aid in the relief efforts and that though the Haitian officials have not yet determined what would be helpful, it is obvious that they have a need to rebuild their lives and country.

The Minister mentioned, too, that the relief team is awaiting Caricom’s assessment so as to know what is needed to help “our brother and sisters.”

Minister Manickchand expressed her disappointment with the Red Cross Society noting that there seemed to be a departure by the Society without first consulting with the relief team that was established by Government.

Director at Red Cross Society Ms Dorothy Fraser, who was present yesterday, explained that there was never any intention by the society to segregate itself from the relief team.

She stressed that the organisation sent out its appeal before the President called the meeting last Wednesday and that this is the usual way in which the institution operates.

According to her, the contributions received by Red Cross would either go directly to the Haiti Relief Council or to the International Federation, but in the end, “all forms part of the help that is given as a country.”

“People have a right to choose through which organisation they will donate and nothing prevents Red Cross from having its own bank account,” she asserted.

Ms Fraser said the efforts by the society to contribute entail, inter alia, organising for items such as tents, blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits to be packed and sent off.

She observed, though, that one of the problems being encountered presently is the lack of proper accessibility of roads in Haiti which makes it difficult to have the supplies transported.

Ms Fraser explained that there is also a difficulty for the Red Cross to determine what is available in Haiti and what more is needed.

According to her, a number of persons have already made donations through the Red Cross by means of three bank accounts which were set up. These are: Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) # CIDA 814213; Bank of Nova Scotia #109778, and Republic Bank # 2763043, payable to the Red Cross.

She is encouraging all members of the public to make their contributions, no matter how small, as “this can go a far way.”

Also speaking with the media yesterday was Minister of Public Works and Communication, Mr. Robeson Benn, who mentioned that there is no timeline for the first donation to be made to Haiti from Guyana, but additional sources of funding are presently being garnered.

He, too, referred to transportation as an issue in Haiti as materials from the airport could not yet be removed and are piling up.

Minister Benn expressed his hopefulness that booths with military skills will be made available by this country. However, he noted that though this has not yet been determined, it is currently being worked out.

Bishop Juan Edghill, Chairman of the Ethnic relations Committee told reporters that Reverend Raphael Massiah was nominated to represent the Christian community which has already commenced works to aid in the relief effort.

He opined that though it is not many people’s belief that offering prayers is offering support, the Christian community is presently engaging in this form of intervention on behalf of the people who are suffering.

He said “special prayers” will be said when congregations meet on Sunday and that it is intended that donations will be collected at the church level.

How these donations will be channeled to the central fund is yet to be determined, he said.