- January 15, 2010
- Posted by:
- Category: News - Guyana Haiti Relief
GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Government, political parties, civil society, non governmental organizations and the religious community in Guyana met on Wednesday and established a national response committee to help Haiti, which was devastated on Tuesday by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake almost destroying the entire capital of Port-au-Prince.
The task force, “The National Haiti Relief Effort”, is headed by human services minister Priya Manickchand and will over the next few days be putting together aid, including financial assistance to send to the impoverished Caribbean state.
Manickchand noted that, while an assessment of the full impact of the earthquake is still to come, the need to act quickly is critical, noting that all parties involved in the meeting recognized the urgency of the situation.
She indicated that the first meeting of the committee will be held on Thursday at the Civil Defence Commission, and stakeholders will identify the persons who will serve on the committee.
Several of the participants involved in the meeting praised the president’s leadership and the speed with which Government has responded to the crisis. They also called on Guyanese to be forthcoming in rendering assistance to Haitians, both in financial contributions and goods.
The committee will be meeting on Thursday afternoon to finalize and streamline its relief efforts.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Wednesday, President Jagdeo expressed shock at the extent of the destruction caused by the catastrophic earthquake, the largest to have hit the country in more than a century reports say.
“Haiti, as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, is now severely challenged to cope with this tragedy. Haiti needs all countries, including the small developing countries, to come to its aid urgently. The government of Guyana has pledged US$1 million to bring some relief to the people of Haiti,” the president said.
Jagdeo said he was saddened by the haunting images of bodies, injured persons and ruined buildings, which have all struck chords of compassion in Guyanese.
Meanwhile, the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (NGPC) INC said it will donate a large quantity of much needed pharmaceuticals to the National Haiti Relief Effort.
Telecommunications giant, Digicel said it was donating US$5 million to relief efforts.
Adding its voice to the international appeal for aid to Haiti, Digicel said it also sent a team of people to Haiti early on Wednesday to assist in whatever way possible with the relief efforts and to assess the impact on its communications infrastructure, which incurred damage but is operational.
Guyana also established a National Committee for Guyana’s Assistance to Haiti hotline 1-592-226 4080, where persons wanting to pledge assistance can call.
Source: Caribbeannetnews