Support for Venezuela: Nearly 100 containers being packed as Guyana prepares to ship off relief supplies

In response to critically needed aid for Venezuela following last week’s powerful earthquakes, Guyana has managed to mobilise almost 100 containers of relief supplies that are being prepared for shipment this weekend.

“The efforts continue. We’re hoping to have that ship loaded by this weekend. I know it’s almost over 100 containers,” President Dr Irfaan Ali told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the humanitarian donation drive that was being held. Last Saturday, it was announced that the Government of Guyana is organising a large-scale donation drive to mobilise humanitarian assistance for Venezuela after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes on June 24, which have caused extensive damage in parts of the country, including the capital.

It was reported that Guyana has made available an 8000-tonne vessel to transport the aid to the neighbouring country. At the time, five containers of critically needed pharmaceutical items had already been procured, as well as several containers of food items.

Since then, the Government has seen a tremendous response from the public as well as the private sector. On Wednesday, preparations intensified ahead of the expected departure of the relief vessel this Friday.

In fact, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is leading the humanitarian response, on Wednesday visited the John Fernandes Limited Container Terminal to observe the packing of essential items, including rice, destined for affected communities in Venezuela.

“What is happening now is that we are packing these containers. In this instance, they are being packed with rice and packaged in such a way that, upon arrival, the supplies will be easy to distribute,” the PM explained.

During the visit, PM Phillips was joined by private sector representative Komal Singh and director-general of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel Nazrul Hussain.

The PM also toured the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) facility on Woolford Avenue, where relief supplies are being received, sorted, and prepared as part of Guyana’s coordinated humanitarian response to its South American neighbour.

There, PM Phillips interacted with and thanked 18 volunteers who joined the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and CDC staff in supporting the relief exercise.

Meanwhile, in addition to mobilising aid, Guyana is also planning to deploy a GDF contingent to aid in the recovery efforts in Caracas. Moreover, Guyana is also coordinating support to Venezuela on behalf of several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

President Ali told reporters on Wednesday, “So, a lot of the CARICOM countries are also going to be supporting [Venezuela], and Guyana is coordinating that support… Quite a number of them have already committed. I don’t know how many would have already transferred resources, but I know there is a lot of commitment.”

Among the relief items listed for donation are drinking water and non-perishable foods such as canned vegetables, beans, fruit, soup, tuna, chicken, dry pasta, rice, oats, cereal, peanut butter, shelf-stable or powdered milk, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, instant noodles, boxed meals, baby food or formula, cooking oil, flour, sugar, salt, spices, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate mix.
Personal hygiene items, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, nappies, and other essential hygiene supplies, are also required. Additionally, sleeping items such as sleeping mats and/or mattresses, blankets, and sheets, as well as flashlights, batteries, solar chargers, and cutting equipment, are needed.

Based on the latest reports coming out of Caracas, at least 2295 persons have died and another 11,267 were injured from last week’s twin quakes, while nearly 50,000 others are still unaccounted for and thousands more displaced. Rescues are still combing through collapsed buildings in the hopes of finding survivors. So far, more than 6000 survivors have been pulled from the rubble.