CARIBBEAN Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley and several other officials were presented with tokens of appreciation by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Thursday morning before they departed Guyana from the Eugene F. Correira International Airport.

CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig was present at the airport to send off the officials, and present them with small tokens to show the CDC’s appreciation for their diligent work in Guyana, a release said.

Riley was presented with a plaque by Lieutenant Colonel Craig, who also congratulated her on officially assuming the role as CDEMA’s Executive Director. Riley’s appointment as the substantive Executive Director took effect on Thursday, after having acted in the post since 1 May, 2020.

“I think it’s fitting that your first day should start in Guyana,” Colonel Craig commented. Riley was moved by the Director-General’s words. “I’m so touched by the gesture from the CDC,” she said.

Riley and team were in Guyana to undertake a Detailed Damage Sector Assessment (DDSA) on the flooding here, which is being conducted by CDEMA. On Wednesday, she presented the preliminary findings of the DDSA to Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips and other government ministers. She also held a meeting with CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

Riley lauded the CDC’s efficiency in all aspects of the flood response, and noted how impressed she was with their effort.