– 15, 000 households to benefit

RESIDENTS living in Region Two villages such as Pomona, Annandale, Three Friends, Evergreen, and Somerset and Berks are the latest beneficiaries of Government’s COVID-19 cash-grant initiative.
A team consisting of staff members of the Region Two Administration commenced the distribution of $25,000 to households early Monday morning.
Regional Executive Officer (REO), Devanand Ramdatt explained that the process has been smooth thus far, and residents from other communities can expect to see the team before the end of the week. He said that currently, the team is working in different villages, and he called on residents to cooperate and be honest during the process.

“This grant is to help with the negative effects of COVID-19. We from the regional level are trying our best so that the grant can be distributed in the shortest possible time… The cash will be given to the head of the household,” Ramdatt explained.

For those who have more than one family unit in their household, a pink form will be completed, and the team will revisit the home at a later date.

Further, Ramdatt said that an itinerary will be made available as a way of guiding residents, especially in the Pomeroon riverine areas. The team visiting households will ensure that the distribution process is transparent and accountable. Residents will be able to identify members of the team via the badges they will be wearing; team members will also be accompanied by security officers.

Coordinator for the COVID-19 relief cash grant, Iqbaul Khan said 15,000 households in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region are expected to benefit from the initiative. He said he looks forward to working with the team towards the successful completion of the distribution exercise.

One recipient, Lall Persaud, a resident of Three Friends village, said that the team visited his home early on Monday morning, and the process was very short. He expressed his gratitude for having received the grant, and said he will use it to purchase groceries.
Region Two, over the last few weeks, has managed to keep the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases down. Currently, the region has approximately 10 active cases out of 63 confirmed cases. There are a number of vigorous sensitisation programmes being conducted by the Regional Emergency Health Committee and the Guyana Police Force. Screening is also being conducted at the ports of entry, such as Good Hope, Supenaam, and Charity.