As Guyana embarks on phase two of its relief efforts directed towards the hurricane-ravaged islands across the Caribbean region, the Government, in collaboration with private stakeholders, has launched a grand relief concert to raise funds for the impending ventures.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon is joined by Social Protection Minister Amna Ally and other officials at the launch of the Hurricane Relief Concert
D’Urban Park has been listed as the official venue for the grand showcase, billed for November 11.
The benefit concert will feature a number of regional and international artistes, backed by a solid line-up of local stars. Headlining the show will be Caribbean sensation Patrice Roberts, joined by Orlando Octave, best known for his Soca hit, titled “Single.”
This initiative comes shortly after the Civil Defence Commission wrapped up the first phase of relief efforts, which saw the shipment of 11 containers comprising of food, clothing, medical supplies and other essential materials for the victims hit by the string of tropical cyclones.
Adding to that, a total of 54 Guyanese were evacuated from the destruction which was left behind after five locally chartered flights were sent in to the islands to rescue countrymen from the ruins.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon receiving the cheque from a representative of the BK Group of Companies
With that being completed, the country now turns its attention to assisting with the recovery and restoration ventures, and as such, this grand gesture was birthed to generate the necessary finances.
Speaking at the launch of the Hurricane Relief Concert was CDC Preparedness and Response Manager Sean Welcome, who explained what prompted this national collaboration.
“A decision was taken for us to have a second phase in regard to our relief efforts, and this phase intends to target the reconstruction. We recognize that in order to achieve this, we need an activity that will bring in the sort of financial support that will allow us as a people to make a tangible donation towards the effort,” the CDC Manager outlined.
And welcoming the initiative, Minister of State Joseph Harmon noted that such ventures exemplify Guyana’s commitment to regional integration.
Harmon extended an invitation to the general public to play their part in assisting their affected Caribbean neighbours by supporting the relief and recovery mission.
In doing so, he relayed, “I want to commend the organisers of this event, and I am pleased to be part of the official launching of this Hurricane Relief Concert.”
Minister Harmon, also the National Disaster Coordinator, further said, “We are going to fill D’Urban Park. We are going to bring people from all across the region to ensure that we get a real lively concert, and the proceeds from that concert will reach down to the benefit of those citizens who were affected by the hurricanes.”
Continuing on that note was Douglas Slater, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for Human Development, who applauded the efforts undertaken by Guyanese in lending a helping hand to those affected by hurricanes throughout the region.
“We are all in this together. It is really heartwarming to see our CARICOM neighbours stepping up to the plate. So, on behalf of the Secretary General and the committee at the CARICOM Secretariat, we thank you for you expression of solidarity and support, and we wish the concert every success that it deserves,” expressed the Assistant Secretary General.
Tickets to the Hurricane Relief Concert, dubbed “the biggest event of the month”, are tagged at $1000, with all proceeds to be directed towards the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the hurricane-affected Caribbean nations.
Among the private entities which have already thrown their support behind this initiative are the BK Group of Companies, and the Agri Parts Machinery & Services. At the launch of the concert, each of these companies plugged a cheque worth $2million in ensuring the successful event of the charitable undertaking.
