Efforts are intensifying to assist and improve the living conditions of Haitians following the January 12 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince. The Guyana National Committee for Haiti Relief will be sending more assistance to the island as the donations topped $261M as of last Friday. Minister of Human Services and Social Security and Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief Priya Manickchand updated the media on the Committee’s status during another donation exercise convened at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) office, Thomas Land.
She said that prior to the 10 containers that left John Fernandes wharf on February 4, five more containers which include food stuff and clothing will be leaving Guyana for Haiti tomorrow. The items for shipment include rice, other food items, clothing and water.
The Human Services Minister noted that the Committee will continue its work to aid Haiti as long as the island needs it.
The Relief Committee currently has approximately $261,374,104 in its account at Republic Bank; and according to Minister Manickchand, in addition to actual cash, persons have donated in excess of $45M in kind thus far.
At Friday’s ceremony, the Committee received donations from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company – $2.5M, MP Insurance Broker and Consulting firm – $100,000, RK’s Security service- $250,000, N&S Mattai- $200,000 in food items and the Guyana Forestry Commission- $106,000.
Minister Manickchand thanked the contributors for their generosity and encouraged others to contribute to the worthy cause. (GINA)