China donates $20.7M in items to boost El Niño preparedness in Guyana

As Guyanese continues to battle the effects of the El Niño season, the People’s Republic of China has generously donated a total of $20.7 million in items to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
Director General of the CDC, Colonel (retd) Nazrul Hussain, during the handing-over ceremony on Thursday, assured that communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway that are particularly vulnerable to El Niño would be immediate beneficiaries of the donation. Essential resources, including water tanks, pumps, containers, dispensers and fire extinguishers, will be provided to address challenges identified during the CDC’s drought outreach programme.
According to Colonel (retd) Hussain, “These resources meet the needs of citizens who voiced their challenges during the CDC’s drought outreach programme.”
The CDC’s drought outreach programmes have already covered Regions Three, Five, Seven, Eight, and Ten; and its Director General, Colonel (retd) Hussain, has outlined plans for comprehensive coverage across all remaining regions.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, has emphasised the significance of cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation. Underlining China’s commitment to support Guyana during the El Niño season, Ambassador Haiyan expressed China’s willingness to deepen cooperation in disaster climate security, prevention, and poverty alleviation.
“Under the framework of China-Guyana, China-Caribbean, China-LAC cooperation, China is willing to deepen our cooperation in this disaster climate security and disaster climate prevention and poverty alleviation, to ensure to enhance our friendship,” she declared.
The donation signifies a strengthening of the relationship between China and Guyana, showcasing the power of international collaboration in the face of climate-related challenges.