ExxonMobil, partners give $60M to COVID-19 fight

ExxonMobil Guyana and its Stabroek Block partners, Hess and CNOOC, have provided $60 million to the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Salvation Army, and Rotary Guyana to support efforts against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The CDC received $40 million while the Salvation Army and Rotary Guyana got $10 million each.
The Stabroek Block co-venturers were assisted by the Department of Energy in identifying programmes that were in greatest need of COVID-19 funding. These programmes were selected because they have the potential to reach the wider Guyanese population.
The CDC’s $40 million will support the Public Health Ministry in setting up additional quarantine facilities, food and sanitation items and equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff at those facilities. Following the funding allocation, CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig said the funds would also be utilised to supplement the humanitarian efforts designed to bring hampers of relief supplies to the people most vulnerable to COVID-19.
According to the CDC, the hampers will include food, cleaning and sanitation supplies, cloth masks, and educational materials on protecting oneself against COVID-19, and will be distributed to senior citizens, children’s homes, and the economically disadvantaged.
“We continue to develop the most effective mechanism to ensure that the vulnerable population receives the most appropriate relief, since the levels of impact vary and can have short-, medium- and long-term effects,” Craig said.
The money allocated to the Salvation Army will go towards supporting its hamper distribution in the various Regions, in coordination with the CDC, as well as for hot meals for the homeless in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
“The Salvation Army is working hard to be there for vulnerable people at this time and we are pleased that this contribution will help us to carry out this mission,” Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, Major Matignol Saint-Lot said.
Rotary Guyana earmarked its $10 million to be used for medical supplies, including procurement of N95 masks, oxygen tanks, and PPE for hospitals and clinics throughout Guyana.
“This complements our Community COVID-19 Initiative which was launched a few weeks ago to provide protection for our brave frontline workers and supplies for those who are infected by this virus,” said Assistant Governor Renata Chuck-A-Sang.
ExxonMobil Guyana President Rod Henson said during times of struggle everyone must lend a helping hand. He added that they would continue to support first responders who were working hard to help Guyana confront COVID-19.
“Hess is committed to helping address the health, safety, and economic challenges posed by this pandemic wherever we do business. As part of the Stabroek Joint Venture, our focus is on providing hospitals and clinics with the medical supplies and equipment needed for the fight against COVID-19, and on helping the populations most vulnerable to its impact with food and other necessities,” Hess Vice President of Exploration, Tim Chisholm noted.
“CNOOC International stands with fellow Guyanese during these challenging times,” CNOOC International Executive Vice President Liu Yongjie expressed. “As we come together in the face of this global pandemic, we hope that this contribution makes a positive difference in Guyana.”
ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC are co-venturers in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Their support adds to the many contributions and assistance from local businesses, international partnerships and individual Guyanese that have been given to relief organisations throughout Guyana.