CDC’s storage capacity, coordination space bolstered with new, multi-purpose facility, bond

Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has underscored the Government’s commitment to strengthening Guyana’s disaster preparedness and response systems through sustained investment in capacity-building, infrastructure, and regional cooperation. He made these remarks during the commissioning of the new $97.8M Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Multi-Purpose Building and Bond at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, on Friday. The PM described the new facility as a tangible demonstration of the Government’s policy to enhance national resilience and improve disaster response mechanisms. “This occasion signifies another step in strengthening Guyana’s national capacity for preparedness and response and gives tangible form to our shared belief that readiness must be built, trained, and housed – supported by the right infrastructure and resources,” he said.

The new multi-purpose building and bond are expected to expand the CDC’s logistical capabilities, which will allow for improved storage, management, and the deployment of disaster-relief supplies. It also provides modern office space to support coordination and communication during national emergencies. According to PM Phillips, “It expands our storage for disaster-relief items and provides modern office space for the staff who manage them. Through an increase of storage and logistical capabilities, we ensure that supplies are ready, properly maintained, and rapidly deployable in times of crisis.”

Modernising local relief efforts
The PM further noted that the initiative forms part of a broader national effort to modernise Guyana’s disaster risk management systems through legislative reform, inter-agency coordination, and continuous training. “Our Government has been consistent in building capacity across every institution responsible for national security and resilience. In recent years, we have strengthened the legislative and operational framework for disaster preparedness and environmental management. The CDC has led national training in oil-spill response, contingency planning, and inter-agency coordination,” he stated. The CDC’s achievements, he added, reflect the wider story of Guyana’s growth and commitment to sustainable development.
“As our economy expands, so too does our responsibility to protect people, the environment, and infrastructure. Our approach recognises that preparedness is a continuous process of improvement. The new multi-purpose building and bond therefore stands as a permanent reminder that preparedness begins long before the siren sounds,” Phillips noted. The PM went on to emphasise that effective disaster management is central to Guyana’s national development and that each investment in the CDC directly strengthens the nation’s resilience and response capacity. He further highlighted Guyana’s active role in supporting regional disaster relief efforts, citing the country’s recent humanitarian pledge to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. “Only last week, the Government of Guyana reaffirmed its readiness to support our Caribbean neighbours when disaster strikes. Such actions are possible because we continue to invest in our own readiness. A strong national system allows us to protect ourselves while extending support to others in keeping with the spirit of Caribbean unity,” the PM noted.
The critical role of collaboration between the Civil Defence Commission, the private sector, and international partners in enhancing disaster preparedness was also highlighted, with Prime Minister Phillips emphasising that collective coordination shortens recovery time and saves lives. He commended the staff of the CDC for their continuous work in strengthening national systems, describing them as the “strength behind every national response.”
“Our Government remains firmly committed to supporting the CDC on every front. We will continue to strengthen the legal, institutional and logistical frameworks that underpin national disaster management and ensure that every community, from the coastland to the hinterland, benefits from the same level of protection and service,” Phillips declared.