ExxonMobil, Digicel donate to CDC’s flood relief efforts

The Government of Guyana says it welcomes a donation of million from ExxonMobil Guyana, which will be handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to assist in relief efforts for flood-affected areas in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
ExxonMobil Guyana Public and Government Affairs Senior Director Kimberly Brassington made the commitment on Wednesday to Acting Director General of the CDC, Major Kester Craig.
Kimberly said the company took its corporate social responsibility to the citizens of Guyana seriously, and added that in times of crises it was important that resources were combined to ensure a rapid response.
“We would like to support the CDC and the Regions to respond rapidly to address the needs of the affected residents. Anywhere ExxonMobil operates, including Guyana, we take our corporate social responsibility seriously and this is a situation and opportunity where the communities are in need, and we can come together and find a way to help,” she said.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the CDC and disaster response and risk management, welcomed the donation and said Government thanked all members of the Private Sector, including ExxonMobil, that have made resources available to the CDC to support their work.
“I want to thank all the companies for their response and for making their resources available to the Civil Defence Commission. We will ensure that whatever donations are made cater to the needs of the people. It is heartening to see everyone coming together and doing whatever they can at this time to bring relief to the residents affected, and it is a culture like this that we want to promote in Guyana, where we all come together to do our best if our brothers and sisters are affected,” he said.
The acting CDC Director General said the donation would go a long way towards providing immediate relief to residents in affected areas.  “On behalf of the Civil Defence Commission and the Government of Guyana, I would like to express profound appreciation and gratitude for the timely and most appropriate intervention for bringing relief to the residents of the affected communities. I can assure you that the grant will be utilised to ensure that the most suitable needs are given to the affected,” Major Craig said.
To date, the Government has spent more than million on disaster response and relief activities. This amount, Government says, does not reflect donations, which have been made by private individuals and companies over the past few days.
Meanwhile, Digicel Guyana handed over a quantity of supplies to the CDC which will be deployed to flood-affected residents of Regions Seven and Eight.
The donation consists of a substantial quantity of food items from the requested list and cleaning supplies.
“We empathise with those residents who have lost their livelihood and have been displaced. We hope that these items bring some sort of relief where it is needed most. We are confident that this donation will reach the residents who are in need and that our efforts and that of corporate Guyana will get to the areas that are hard hit by the recent flash flooding,” noted Digicel Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara.

According to Digicel, Laura George, Governance and Rights Coordinator, and several staff members of the Amerindian Peoples Association are working with the CDC in coordinating relief efforts to ensure that this donation makes its way to the residents in Region Seven who are affected.
George mentioned that it was imperative that persons keep up their support, and she was very thankful for Digicel’s donation. “Every little bit matters; you may not be able to give in the magnitude that Digicel did today, but whatever you can offer will be appreciated,” she said.
Areas that are likely to benefit from Digicel’s donation are Jawalla, Kamarang, Kako, Paruima and Philipai. More than 3000 residents are affected as homes, farms, roads and other infrastructure have been destroyed.