CABINET continued its review of the handling of its direct contributions to Haiti following the devastating earthquake, as well as, those of the community and organs of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post Cabinet press conference yesterday at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, said when Cabinet met last Wednesday, it was advised that the National Committee had collected close to $250M in cash, and about $9.5M in kind.
As government lead the national effort to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Government has committed US$1M towards assistance for Haiti which has suffered from a massive earthquake and several aftershocks last month, and has established a multi-stakeholder committee chaired by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand to oversee the effort.
He said the donations in kind are currently being shipped by sea on their way to Haiti.
He said Cabinet continued its review of the handling of its direct contributions, as well, as those of the community and its organs in CARICOM.
He disclosed that Cabinet was advised that at the recently held meeting in Suriname, that institutional capacity was recognised as a major constraint that will face the planners and implementers in the reconstruction of Haiti, and that constraint needed immediate attention.
“That view had been tendered by President Jagdeo at the meeting. He advised that the meeting also examine the model for the long term CARICOM involvement in Haiti – a long term engagement that had already garnered the support of the CARICOM Heads,” he said.
He said the model, a health initiative was being finalised and an agreement had already been reached by the Heads on the methods of financing the long term involvement in Haiti.
Reiterating that those details are being concluded, he noted, “But the most preliminary proposals would see the Haitian Government concurring with CARICOM for the operationalizing of one of their health centres, and the provision of health care to a neighbouring community of about 20,000 people.”
He said with the declaration on the end of the emergency disaster response period it is anticipated that Guyana’s national committee would soon be wound up.  (Priya Nauth)