GBTI hands over $3.4M St Vincent relief funds to Govt

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Monday handed over to the Guyana Government, a cheque for $3.4 million – the money raised through donations to assist the volcano-ravaged St Vincent and the Grenadines.
When totalled, the accumulated funds would have reached just over $3.4 million. Acting Chief Executive Officer, James Foster handed over the funds to Prime Minister Mark Phillips as he noted that it was their social corporate responsibility to help their fellow Caribbean country.
One month ago, the La Soufrière volcano erupted after decades of dormancy and left blankets of ash and debris. It prompted the evacuation of thousands of people, who would remain in shelters for several weeks as the seismic activities continued.
The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre had reported evidence of pyroclastic flows, as an avalanche of heated gas and debris travelled at more than 120 miles per hour along the mountainside. Episodes of high-amplitude tremor continued to coincide with periods of enhanced venting or explosive activity.
The volcanic ash moved with the winds and affected neighbouring islands including Barbados, St Lucia, and Grenada.
Immediately after, the Guyana Government sent a shipment of relief items, containing 350 tonnes of varied aid including water, water storage containers, sugar, rice, peas, chowmein, sanitisers, detergents, disinfectant, personal care items and supplies for infants. A 20-foot container of water formed part of the second shipment.
Three weeks ago, Government sent the <<<MV Lady Fazeela>>> with 275 tonnes of food supplies and other needed articles. The vessel first delivered bottled water and 450-gallon tanks to Barbados – which had also faced the brunt of these volcanic activities.
Items sent to St Vincent were in keeping with the list of necessities provided by the Government. In the local relief efforts, the Private Sector and civil society had mustered up to the challenge of contributing to a large percentage of the aid.
President Irfaan Ali has assured of continuous support to the island until normalcy is restored and these funds will be used to further assist the people of St Vincent.