Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, today said that 88 containers of disaster relief supplies have been assembled for shipment to Venezuela as part of Guyana’s coordinated humanitarian response to support communities affected by the recent earthquakes.
The Prime Minister made the statement during a visit to BK Wharf, where the relief supplies were being loaded onto the Mega and Motti vessel, which is expected to depart for Venezuela on Monday.
Prime Minister Phillips said the initiative reflects the importance of regional cooperation and solidarity in responding to the needs of neighbouring countries during times of crisis. He explained that the shipment was made possible through the combined efforts of the Government of Guyana, CARICOM partners, the local private sector, civil society organisations, citizens, and members of the Venezuelan community in Guyana.
Prime Minister Phillips stated, “We have been able to put together 88 containers with relief supplies for the people of Venezuela. These 88 containers comprise donations funded by Guyana, Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, and this boat is expected to depart tomorrow for Venezuela.”
According to the Prime Minister, the relief shipment includes medicines, food supplies, dry goods, canned goods, non-perishable items, approximately 300 water tanks, and other disaster relief supplies.
Prime Minister Phillips recounted that the mobilisation builds on the national response directed by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali, who tasked him with leading and coordinating the relief effort, which forms part of a multi-agency response involving the Civil Defence Commission, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, private sector bodies, and other partners who supported the collection, sorting, loading, and dispatch of supplies.
The Prime Minister thanked all those who worked around the clock over the past seven days to make the shipment possible, expressing gratitude to the donors, members of the Joint Services, the business community, civil society organisations, and Guyanese across the country.
He recognised John Fernandes Limited, Muneshwers Limited, ANSA McAL, RSD, GAICO, NEW GPC INC., the Suri Group of Companies, Tropical Shipping, Banks DIH Limited, and BK Group of Companies for their significant support, noting that the contributions included relief supplies, equipment, logistical assistance, transportation, containers, trucking, crane services, and other resources needed to prepare the shipment for dispatch.
Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, said the shipment was strengthened by the range of items mobilised, including approximately 300 black water tanks and two pieces of earth-moving equipment, which complement the 88 containers of disaster relief supplies. He noted that the contributions from the private sector, civil society, Guyanese families, CARICOM partners, and members of the Venezuelan community in Guyana reflect a shared humanitarian commitment to supporting affected communities in neighbouring Venezuela with dignity and care.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Her Excellency Gale Miller Garnett, High Commissioner of Belize to Guyana.
