SHOULD Guyana find itself in a national disaster, state of emergency or unrest, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will be ready to deal with such cases both in the line of alleviating any suffering of the people as well as effective communication during an inter-agency approach to crises.

This was disclosed by Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips, while addressing a gathering of diplomats; Members of Parliament; Government officials; senior officers of the GDF and the Commander of the United States Southern Command, General John F Kelly, who is responsible for US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Brigadier Philips said that today, Guyana has an emergency response operation centre at Timehri and a supplies bond that is stocked and ready to alleviate suffering of the people during times of disasters.
Phillips, whose address mainly highlighted the assistance given to the GDF through the Guyana Government by the United States Southern Command at a reception held in honour of the Four Star General, John F. Kelly, who arrived in Guyana on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, said the readiness to address disasters and other situations was complemented by the assistance given by the US army.
Guyana’s disaster- management capabilities which are managed by the Guyana Defence Force have been enhanced by the work of the officers of the United States Southern Command, Phillips reminded.
“Today we have our Emergency Response Operation Centre at Timehri and have a supplies bond that is stocked and ready to alleviate suffering during times of a disaster.”
He pointed to a recent donation of 150 hand-held radio sets with base stations which would go a far way in facilitating effective communication among troops on the ground in an inter-agency approach.
Mr. Phillips also spoke of the many other gifts which were presented to the GDF over the period, including the three metal shark boats earlier this year, which according to him have been instrumental in the operations of the GDF.
The gathering was told that the sharks have been used successfully in a multi-agency illicit traffic operation (referring to the discovery of the submersible submarine a few months back). The sharks according to Brigadier Phillips, also served to enhance the operational capabilities of the Guyana Defence Force and its readiness.
The GDF was also able to benefit from training at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of officers who are in the leadership of the organisation. In addition, there have been improved medical facilities through the PEPFAR programme and the United States Southern Command.
Meanwhile in his address, Four-Star General John F. Kelly accepted the appreciation on behalf of his command for the work they have been doing in this part of the globe.
He said that regardless of what the relationships are between nations at the political and other levels, all nations do share an amazing amount of common threats which include human rights violations, human trafficking, economic development, drug trafficking and infectious diseases.
The general said that the United States Government and the US Southern Command are pleased to work with nations on these common issues, while pointing out that one of the most important among the lot to him is the issue of infectious diseases.
On the issue of drug trafficking, the senior United States Military Commander said that the issue is a cancer in every society, while pointing out that law enforcement in Guyana seems to be doing a good job. He said that he was also told of collaboration between the two nations on the issue of countering illegal mining activities.