Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Mark Berman, and a team from the High Commission of Canada made a project-monitoring visit to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to engage with partners on the implementation of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives’ (CFLI’s) Economic Resilience project in the region.
High Commissioner Mark Berman with volunteers of Hope Foundation and officials of Region 7 at Itaballi
This project, being executed by the Hope Foundation, seeks to provide critical support to the communities currently hosting Venezuelan migrants. It provides training and support to migrants and local residents in order to improve their socio-economic situation. The agenda of the ongoing project is geared towards addressing these issues.
A release from the Canadian High Commission in Guyana stated that, through the project being supported by Canada, on Monday, staff from 10 service-provider agencies, including the Guyana Police Force and the Bartica Hospital, were provided with certificates after completing the First Responders for Psychological Support training, enabling them to work with Venezuelan migrants and other vulnerable clients.
In his remarks at the ceremony, High Commissioner Berman quoted a statement made by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, noting that the migrants are often on a journey marked by trauma, barriers, and loss, and host communities like Region Seven needed to build capacity to address areas of vulnerability.
HC Berman has congratulated the local governing bodies for their work in regard to integrating the migrant families into the local communities.
“We must acknowledge the efforts of host countries like Guyana, for their continued commitment and demonstration of leadership in welcoming and integrating this massive surge of people,” the High Commissioner is quoted as saying in the release.
Meanwhile, Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall recognised and welcomed the work of partners in the region, and singled out the Regional Education Officer and the Bartica Police Force, whom he thanked for supporting the efforts of that town to provide services to the migrant families.
Care packages
Another aspect of the visit included an on-the-ground visit to Itaballi and the surrounding communities, wherein the High Commissioner and team were able to meet with residents and hand over care packages consisting of menstrual hygiene and sanitary products.
The High Commissioner noted that the access to clean sanitary and hygiene products was limited for many persons, and informed residents that in partnership with the Hope Foundation, the High Commission hopes to support improving the standards of living for the families.
“Access to menstrual products is a basic necessity and a key part of sexual and reproductive health and rights. That’s exactly why we are taking concrete steps to address the barriers related to affordability,” he stated.
In addition, High Commission Berman is funding classes in cosmetology, food preparation and catering services to provide the residents with income-generating skills. Through the Hope Foundation, work would also be done to improve the literacy levels of the residents and provide job-readiness skills training, entrepreneurship, and small-business empowerment classes.
A total of 40 persons, including both Guyanese and migrant residents, will be trained.
The visit to the region, the release stated, provided High Commissioner Berman with a firsthand insight to work the Guyana Government is already doing, and how Canada can further support the local government and partner activities. On Monday, High Commissioner Berman had one-on-one meetings with Region Seven Chairman Kenneth Williams and Mayor Gifford Marshall, wherein he was informed of the priority areas of concern for the region, and where Canadian support would be most needed and beneficial.
