The Government of Guyana and the local private sector are gearing up to send relief containers of various non-perishable items to neighboring Venezuela following the two earthquakes that hit parts of Country last Wednesday, leaving hundreds of persons dead, and scores of properties and public infrastructure destroyed.

President Irfaan Ali has indicated that so far, an 8,000-tonne vessel has been made available to deliver the supplies to Venezuela later this week.

“So far, we have mobilized more than 100 containers—five containers of critically needed pharmaceuticals, we have containers of food, milk produce, diapers but the need is immense,” the President noted.

The Guyana Defence Force, the Civil Defence Commission, and the Guyana Police Force will also be providing support to various aspect of the mission, with a number GDF ranks to be stationed directly in Venezuela to assist with recovery efforts, the President said.

The CDC will also provide resources to man the operation on both ends of the border.

“We have already mobilized through government and direct support from some groups a lot of containers, we have also extended the facility to CARICOM. I know St. Kitts and Nevis have already responded with support with three containers, that is two containers of pre-packed food items and one container of pharmaceuticals,” the President noted.

Local businessman Brian BK Tiwari will be supplying the vessel to transport the items and has promised a second vessel should the need arise to further assist in the support efforts.

The Prime Minister’s office will be leading in the co-ordination of the support efforts.

“This is not an easy task, it’s an intense logistics operation but we hope to have this efficiently for our neighbors and the people of Venezuela,’ the President said.

The President said Guyana was monitoring the aftermath of the disaster noting that he was deeply saddened by the scale, magnitude and destruction caused by back-to-back earthquakes that struck Caracas,

He re-affirmed Guyana’s solidarity with Venezuela and said the country stood ready to provide assistance within its capacity.

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