The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Salvation Army and Rotary Guyana have received more than $60 million to support COVID-19 relief programmes.
The funds were provided by ExxonMobil Guyana and the Stabroek Block co-venturers, Hess and CNOOC, as part of a programme established collaboratively with the Department of Energy to support social projects.
The Stabroek Block co-venturers were assisted by the Department of Energy in identifying programmes that were in greatest need of COVID-19 funding and could reach as many people as possible throughout the country.
The CDC received $40 million to support the Ministry of Public Health for additional quarantine facilities, food, sanitation items and equipment, including personal protective equipment for staff at the quarantine facilities.
Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig said the funds will also be utilized to supplement the humanitarian efforts designed to bring hampers of relief supplies to the people most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Hampers will include food, cleaning and sanitation supplies, cloth masks and educational material on protecting against COVID-19, which will be distributed to senior citizens, children’s homes and the economically disadvantaged.
As for the Salvation Army, it received $10 million to support hamper distribution in the regions, in coordination with the CDC, as well as for hot meals for the homeless in Region Four.
Rotary Guyana has also received $10 million to be used for medical supplies including the procurement of N95 masks, oxygen tanks and personal protective equipment for hospitals and clinics throughout Guyana.
ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC are co-venturers in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Their support adds to the many contributions and assistance from local businesses, international partnerships and individual Guyanese that have been given to relief organizations throughout Guyana.
