A NUMBER of vulnerable households in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) benefitted from 350 relief packages at the weekend, part of government’s plans to help them cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hampers were distributed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who noted that the government recognises that the vulnerable communities in Guyana continue to face hardship, as a result of the deadly virus.

Residents of Harmony, Free and Easy, Vriesland, Patentia (East and West), Sisters, Good Intent, Belle Vue, Stanleytown villages on the West Bank of Demerara, and Washington Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Essequibo, among others, benefitted from the COVID-19 relief initiative.

The exercise was a partnership with the private sector which responded to President Irfaan Ali’s call for assistance.
“We are sharing out some hampers to some of the residents as part of the COVID-19 relief. We, the government, understand the financial strain many families are under due to the pandemic and we are working to provide them with some assistance,” Minister Indar stated.
Regional Vice Chairman, Omesh Satyanand, reminded that hampers are distributed to the communities on a regular basis and this has been the norm since the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate four years ago.

“We have been doing this for the last four and a half years and we will continue to do this to help the residents of these nearby communities that were affected due to the closure of Wales [Sugar Estate],” Satyanand said.

Meanwhile, the residents lauded the initiative and said it was “much needed” during this difficult time.
Gaitree Datadin, who resides in the Washington Housing Scheme said, “I appreciate the hamper, I have my family and we can’t really work as normal so I’m happy that the Minister decided to offer us this assistance.”

Another resident, Michael McWatt, also expressed gratitude.
“Well I have my wife and a child and I’m happy that we have the chance to get some assistance. I work as a contractor but for a while things were slow, so I’m glad for this relief from the government. It will help my family and the rest of families a great lot,” said McWatt.
In addition to the relief hampers, the government is also providing $25,000 cash relief to every household; this initiative has commenced in Regions One and Nine and is currently being rolled out in the other regions across the country.