Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, has disclosed that government’s pledge to the Haiti relief efforts will go towards the support of the proposed healthcare initiative as well as other commitments.
Dr Luncheon made the disclosure at a press conference held at the Office of the President today. “Government’s pledge of US$1M will now be provided to CARICOM to support the financing of the proposed health initiative, concurrent goods, equipment and supplies collected by the committee and other parties in Guyana,” the Secretariat Head stated.
The health initiative would see CARICOM accepting responsibility for the delivery of comprehensive healthcare in a specified Haitian community with the concurrence of the Haitian Government.
Dr Luncheon added that the pledge would be directed to Haiti to contribute to the Guyanese response even as the regional agency continues to be responsible for activities on the acute disaster management responses.
“By so doing, CARICOM and the participating countries have joined the world in displaying its sympathy and its resolve by mobilising the nation and making commitments to the Haitian people.”
The involvement of the agency in the Haiti response is likely to be brought to an end in March 2010.
Dr Luncheon noted that CARICOM has from the very onset been involved in the relief efforts and has pledged its continued involvement in the reconstruction of the island.  “They are in for the long haul.”
He mentioned that the enormity of the disaster is now better understood and characterised and so a more informed response is required.
Dr Luncheon remarked that instructions have been given for the necessary immigration interventions to be made for eight families identified as Guyanese to return to their homeland.
Haiti is currently facing uncertainty about whether the countries involved in relief efforts will contribute significantly to its reconstruction and future.
The already impoverished CARICOM state was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake killing thousands and leaving many more injured or cripple.
As an emergency response, government established the National Committee for Haiti Relief which has since collected in excess of $261M from generous individuals and charitable donor organisations.
Several telethons were also held by the Committee on the National Communications Network (NCN), and apart from monetary contributions there were various kinds of assistance, including clothes, water, food and other supplies.
The committee also launched a website which provides vital information and regular updates to its viewers.