THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has collaborated with the government, the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) based in Canada, CIOG Canadian Support Group and Royal Chicken to provide a boost to residents in Mahaica and Mahaicony creeks, Black Bush Polder, Bell West Canal No.2 and Versailles, West Bank Demerara.
The livelihood of these residents was destroyed during the recent flooding that devastated farmlands, destroyed homes, and caused losses of livestock.
According to a release, the boost is in the form of baby chicks and feeds which were distributed to 50 small farmers from the above areas. They received 200 baby chicks, along with 10 bags of feed each to restart their livelihood. Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally, who spoke on behalf of the government, noted that Region Five has faced the brunt of the flooding as communities such as Mahaica Creek, Branch Road Mahaicony, Mahaicony Creek, Burma Housing Scheme, Rosignol and Mibicuri are some of the worst hit areas across Region Five.
He explained that while the efforts of the government are much appreciated, the non-governmental organisations across Guyana such as the CIOG must also be applauded for their efforts during the recent flooding by providing the necessary support and supplies to residents who were severely affected by the floodwaters.
They have been contributing to government’s response efforts toward the flood-affected residents by providing thousands of hampers, medical kits, bottles of drinking water, and mattresses to the flood-affected residents.

“Today, I’m very pleased that they’re making a further contribution in a very tangible way to allow some of our farmers who are affected in these communities will be given a boost to restart their life. We know how difficult it is and that is why we are very appreciative,” Jaffarally added. He said he is hoping that the assistance of the baby chicks and feed will make a difference in the lives of the residents as they move forward to restart to rebuilding their livelihoods. He urged the residents to make good use of the help being provided to them.
Senior CIOG executive, Sheikh Moen ul-Hack, who also represented the donors, International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) based in Toronto, Canada and Royal Chicken of Garden of Eden on the East Bank Demerara, disclosed that the distribution of the baby chicks and feed forms part of CIOG’s efforts to bring relief to poultry farmers across the flood-affected regions. The idea of providing baby chicks and feed to small poultry farmers came from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and CIOG in consultation with the donors. Sheikh Moen ul-Hack said the CIOG intends to continue working closely with the government and the regional representatives of the government throughout the country to help the people. “This is the teaching of Islam, Hinduism and Christianity, as long as we can render kindness, we must do so and if we are kind to the creation, the creator will be kind to us, if we bring relief and ease to the people, then the creator will grant us ease and relief,” he said. Meanwhile, an assessment was completed by officials from the Caribbean, the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority, and NAREI, which will be submitted to the government, which will decide on the level of support that will be provided to those affected by the recent flooding.