By Navendra Seoraj

RESIDENTS of several communities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have received social relief in the form of hampers from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Wednesday.

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has tremendously affected the lives of every Guyanese whether directly or indirectly. In some cases, persons have lost their livelihood because their employers could not make profits or their source of income was not viable anymore.

As a substitute to the loss of livelihoods, the CDC had started the distribution of hampers containing essential food items.

The effort, which started a few days ago, continued on Wednesday and reached the doors of residents in Region 10.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the CDC started the initiative in Region 10, with the communities of Bamia, Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward and Syberia/ Old England. This exercise will continue throughout Region 10 in the coming days. Persons were advised to stay at home, continue to observe social distancing, and wash their hands.

Director-General of the CDC, Lt Col Kester Craig, in a report on Monday, had said citizens across the country require assistance in these challenging times.

“Personnel from the CDC, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs, several other organisations and the military were mobilised to ensure that we provide relief supplies to those in need,” said Craig.

Lt Col Craig further noted that focus is being first placed on the most vulnerable population and then other communities so that everyone receives their supplies.

Craig noted that this being the first such exercise of this nature conducted in Guyana, it will be evaluated to ensure that, going forward, the distribution process will continue to flow smoothly.

The CDC heads the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) which was activated on March 31, 2020, and aims to ensure the highest level of collaboration among all stakeholders to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus, enhance preparation and strengthen the local response to this global pandemic.

Some of the agencies working along with the NEOC include the Ministry of Communities, Food For the Poor, the Private Sector Commission, the United Nations, the National Commission on Disabilities Guyana, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Guyana

Defence Force.
The director-general said the commission welcomes assistance and donations from companies or individuals who are willing to join the cause. Donations can be made in the form of food supplies, personal care and sanitation supplies and financing.

Supplies can be delivered to the CDC’s headquarters, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands; cash or cheque deposits can be made to the commission’s Republic Bank account number 962356519938.

Food and hygiene supplies can be dropped off at the Thomas Lands location daily between 09:00 hrs and 15:00hrs.

Hundreds of residents from between the communities of Dantzig and Fairfield received hampers containing essential food items.

These communities were specifically chosen because residents have suffered a lot and even lost their livelihood because of flooding caused by a breach in the sea defence at Dantzig, last year. While the water has significantly receded, land, which was used for farming, was destroyed by salt water. In other cases, persons were afraid to farm and even practise livestock farming because they believed another disaster could happen at any time.

The existing challenges, compounded by the current challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have financially ‘crippled’ some persons. Considering those challenges, the social relief was openly welcomed and appreciated by those residents.