–ahead of physical reopening on Monday

THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has donated protective gear and cleaning products to the Ministry of Education, to support hygiene measures at schools across Guyana, which are scheduled for physical reopening on Monday.

The donation includes 5,000 face masks, 5,000 bars of hand soap, 500 bottles of hydrogen peroxide, and 150 bottles of hand sanitiser.

“We are working to ensure that our schools, our environment for learning is presented in a safe way, conforming to COVID-19 guidelines for engagement and interaction,” Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Alfred King, said during a brief handing-over ceremony on Thursday.

He added: “The timely donation by UNHCR will go a long way in helping us to provide that safe environment.”

These donations are part of the continued efforts to support the Government of Guyana in preventing the spread of COVID-19 across several regions, especially those hosting refugees and migrants.

So far for this year, the UNHCR has donated hygiene products and equipment to be used in five out of the 10 administrative regions in Guyana.

In total, over 5,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits along with many cleaning supplies and prefabricated housing units for quarantine facilities were donated by UNHCR since the start of the pandemic.

“UNHCR remains committed to supporting the Government of Guyana and its people in the fight against COVID-19, especially now as we endeavour to reopen schools” UNHCR’s Assistant Education Officer, Samantha Bipat, said.

Further, she related: “With these donations, UNHCR hopes to support all people, including refugees, migrants and their host communities, to stay safe against COVID-19.”
Guyana hosts an estimated 20,000 refugees and migrants, mainly from Venezuela, who hope to rebuild a future in the Caribbean country.

UNHCR and its partners have stepped up support to supplement the government’s efforts in responding to pressing needs, including education.

Over the past two years, UNHCR has provided English as a second language courses to some 500 refugee and migrant children and adults across Guyana, to help them better integrate in host communities. During the pandemic, these lessons have been delivered remotely and in person at a reduced capacity.