LOCAL auto parts importer and dealer, Japarts, has donated $1.1M in relief items to the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines which continues to be affected by the La Soufrière Volcano.
The items were handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Monday during a simple ceremony held at the company’s 86 Charlotte & Oronoque Streets location.
CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, was quick to laud the business for “stepping up to the plate”. He said that this is one of many donations made through the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
“It goes to a greater effort, and a partnership with the private sector, Government of Guyana through the Civil Defence Commission, and we are here this afternoon, as you can see, with all the items. We have from onions, potatoes, pampers, water, flour. Everything here you can see, and a list will be provided. And we want to thank the Japarts Source One group for making this donation,” he said. Chief Executive Officer of Japarts, Terry Singh, took the opportunity to express his satisfaction with being able to assist, and urged others within the business community to join in helping St. Vincent and the Grenadines during their time of disaster.

“It’s an honour to serve my country when it’s called upon, especially joining with the GCCI—the Georgetown Chamber, and… the President reaching out to the chamber for assistance. Our company is very pleased to assist in this regard. My heart goes out to the people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I’m sure someday we could have been in that position, so if it’s our chance to help, let us do it now. I would like to encourage others, in terms of the business community, to assist at this time,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Robert Persaud, also expressed his gratitude to the various businesses who would have played a role in assisting St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I want to thank the business community for stepping up and helping our brothers and sisters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You know, our sister CARICOM state, they are in a state of distress, and I think it’s our obligation, our duty to help and support,” Persaud said.
He further noted that Guyana has established two hotlines through which persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines can reach out to the Government of Guyana for assistance.
“We do hope that this will reach the wide affected population, including Guyanese living there,” he concluded.