– PM says over 5,000 hampers distributed so far to vulnerable communities

GOVERNMENT is considering the distribution of vouchers as social relief to vulnerable persons, at a time when Guyana continues to face the effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Government through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has so far distributed close to 5,000 hampers containing essential food supplies to vulnerable communities on the coastland and in the hinterland, but there have been recommendations to distribute vouchers instead.

“There have been representations that not everybody would like a hamper or would not be able to take a hamper a far distance…as you may have noticed the hampers are bulky and heavy,” said Head of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during a virtual press briefing on Saturday.

As an alternative, government is considering a voucher which will be equivalent to the total cost of one hamper. It was said that each hamper carries an estimated $30,000 worth of sanitisation materials and food supplies.

“If you take the voucher to a shopping centre they would not give you a TV, they would give you what is in the scope of the voucher…so that has been proposed and it is one of the matters receiving attention, because it is easier to do cash transfers instead of fetching bulk to far distances,” said the prime minister.

Despite the new recommendation, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the hamper distribution has been going well and has reached the doors of many persons who live in vulnerable communities.

The CDC has even made a request for additional supplies to continue the exercise. The current stock has not been completely depleted, but the CDC sought to make a request for more, especially now that they are conducting an impact assessment of distribution exercise to ensure that it was done equitably.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the persons who have benefitted are from vulnerable sections of Guyana and were identified through the Guyana Bureau of Statistics, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Communities.

The effort itself was, however, supported by the Salvation Army, the Guyana Defence Force, the business community and other stakeholders.

“We are very grateful for the private citizens and companies that stepped forward and assisted with hampers. Companies donated rice, pharmaceuticals, sanitary facilities, and GWI provided water to certain institutions…these were done voluntarily and generously,” said the prime minister, adding that one company even donated an emergency vehicle, which he said will definitely improve the capacity of the health authorities.

Director-General of the CDC, Lt Col Kester Craig, in a recent report, 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 his/her 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 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs.