As Venezuela continues to recover from the back-to-back devastating earthquakes that claimed more than 3,800 lives, Guyana and other CARICOM states have stepped forward in a major way by dispatching a ship with 88 containers of contained food items, medical supplies and other equipment, along with 300 black tanks and two large heavy duty earth moving equipment to the neighbouring country to assist with relief efforts.

Two weeks ago, two earthquakes rocked the South American country resulting in the collapse of several buildings and other facilities.

The shipment of relief items include donations from Guyana, Belize, The Bahamas, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Just before the relief shipment left Guyana earlier this week, Senior Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh reminded that all of Guyana would have witnessed the horrific devastation that was caused by the earthquakes when mass structures were destroyed and there was widespread loss of life and injury.

He said immediately after the the disaster, President Irfaan Ali immediately conveyed his sympathy at loss of life and his deep concern for the injuries sustained and for the damages that would have occurred as a result of this really horrific natural disaster”

Minister Singh also recalled that beyond simply conveying his concerns, President Ali immediately mobilized a massive national and regional effort to secure contributions alongside government’s own effort to mobilize the collection of humanitarian supplies to be sent to the  people of Venezuela.

He said the shipment is the result of that effort.

The Finance Minister said the support being offered to Venezuela reflects not only the mobilization done in Guyana and the contributions made by the Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana, but also contributions made by several member states of CARICOM.

“I want, on President Ali’s behalf, to acknowledge the contributions made by the seven participating members of CARICOM who pledged and/or sent contributions as part of this effort. I want to thank all of them on President Ali’s behalf and acknowledge the generosity of their support for this initiative. I want also on behalf of President Irfaan Ali to acknowledge the spontaneous and generous reaction of the Guyanese private sector, of Guyanese citizens, and of Venezuelan citizens living in Guyana, all of whom responded immediately and generously,” the Minister said.  

The ship with the relief supplies is expected to arrive in Venezuela this weekend.

Guyana has been in close contact with the US, which has a presence on the ground. The relief shipment will be delivered to the US team that is present in Venezuela for consolidation into the broader mobilization effort and for deployment in an optimal manner for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.

Related posts:

Public encouraged to make donation of non-perishable items for Venezuela Earthquake Relief CARICOM to send humanitarian aid and other supplies to Cuba First Guyana shipment of relief items for St. Vincent leaves tomorrow British Military Aircraft to ferry Guyana relief supplies to Hurricane ravaged islands