Caribbean, Guyana get additional US$1.7M from US Govt

COVID-19 fight

…“We can always count on the US to support us in difficult times – Dr Irfaan Ali

The world continues to grapple with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and in order to help mitigate the spread of the potentially deadly disease, the United States Government has committed an additional US$1.7 million to aid the fight in Guyana and the Caribbean.

This aid comes in addition to the US$3 million already allocated to the Caribbean region by the US to help strengthen the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The United States, via USAID, is providing life-saving support by coordinating with the Government of Guyana, international humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment,” the statement noted.
Through this assistance, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will support infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities; communications to help educate people on steps they can take to prevent and respond to the spread of the virus, through country-specific media campaigns; and surveillance and rapid response with case-finding and event-based surveillance for COVID-19.

USAID also helps countries train and support rapid-response teams to investigate cases and conduct contact tracing.
“The United States Government is committed to assisting the people of Guyana to combat the spread of COVID-19 to prevent illness and deaths associated with the dreaded pandemic and ultimately improve the quality of life and the economic outcomes of this wonderful country and its people,” US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch said.
Previously in Guyana, the United States Government has contributed substantially to improving the healthcare services, systems and infrastructure with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS, malaria, cervical cancer and Zika infections.
Support through USAID and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) resulted in Guyana being the first country in the region to attain the 1st pillar in the goal to achieve epidemic control of HIV; by diagnosing at least 90 per cent of those persons estimated to be living with HIV.

“Because an infectious disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere, the United States calls on other donors to contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19,” the statement concluded.

Support for Guyanese
Meanwhile on Monday, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Dr Irfaan Ali said that the on-going efforts by the Government and people of the United States, through the hardworking and committed Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch to support Guyanese in combating the COVID19 pandemic is timely.
“This recent humanitarian assistance is a reminder that we can always count on the Government and people of the United States to support us in difficult times and dark moments. I’m sure the humanitarian contributions will be valuable in allowing our country and people to cope with this crisis even as we seek struggle to save our country from becoming a pariah State and an economic catastrophe,” Dr Ali posted on social media.
Just last week, Ambassador Lynch announced that Guyana received US$475,000 to fight COVID-19. This was as part of the US Government’s ongoing commitment to Guyana through the US Caribbean Resiliency Partnership and the Regional Caribbean Office of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The money is intended to aid in addressing priority areas of laboratory diagnostics and systems strengthening and supplies, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and emergency operation centres.