Committee says fund now stands at $217.9M
SEVERAL commercial banks, together with members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), yesterday donated a total of $15.5M to the Guyana National Committee for Haiti Relief, which was established by Government last week.

The cheques were handed over to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Mrs. Priya Manickchand, who was mandated by President Bharrat Jagdeo to head the committee, at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Together, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Citizens Bank, Demerara Bank, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Republic Bank, and the Bank of Baroda, contributed $13.5M, while Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Krishna Lekhraj, donated $2M on behalf of the GPF.

The bank account that was established by the ‘Relief Committee’ has so far received several donations which, as of January 18, amounts to $217,970,840, and the first shipment of assistance to Haiti will be made by this weekend, Minister Manickchand said.

She pointed out that despite criticisms that the Committee is late in sending off the shipment, the reason for this has more to do with the broken down structures in Haiti which make it difficult for the items to be transported.

Representative of GBTI Mr. John Alves makes his presentation to Minister Manickchand.

Minister Manickchand is urging all who have relatives in Haiti to make this known through the ‘Relief Committee’, the CDC or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that an attempt can be made to locate these individuals.

According to her, the Committee has seen an enormous response from citizens, both private and corporate, which she said indicates that Guyana is still capable of reaching out to people who are in need.

She said the ‘Relief Committee’ plans to maintain efforts to assist Haiti for as long as it is necessary, and is also committed to keeping a transparent accounting process.

She remarked also that no money received as donations will be going to any administrative cost of the committee. “We would not be buying stationery or water that we will use at the meetings. All of this money is going to reach the people of Haiti or go towards their benefit,” she assured.

Another Bank representative hands over a cheque to Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand

Minister Manickchand also stated that the ‘Relief Committee’ will be maintaining a website where frequent updates can be accessed with information relating to the bank account and the contributors.

Clothing, food stuff and different types of dried foods were received from citizens in addition to cash, the Minister said, pointing out that corporate citizens have also made significant pledges.

As an example, she cited B.K. International which pledged one ship to assist in transporting materials that were donated, also alluding to Fibre Tech Industrial Plastic, Beharry Group of Companies, Howard Bulkhan, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Jus Water, Pomeroon Oil Mills Incorporated and the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC).

Director at CDC Mr. Chabilall Ramsaroop, who chaired the proceedings yesterday, said the disaster office in Haiti is now functional.

Also attending the meeting yesterday were Minister of Public Works and Communication Mr. Robeson Benn, representative of the Hindu Community Mr. Parmanand Prashad, Mrs. Elizabeth Elliot from the Private Sector and Mr. Majeed Hussein from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

The committee comprises a representative from all the political parties, two members of Cabinet, three representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and a representative of the three major religious groups.