More migrant families receive hampers

Scores of Venezuelan migrant families residing in the Khan Hill community, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Sunday received food hampers in time for the Christmas holiday.
The hampers contained basic food items such as canned beans, oil, milk, and biscuits. This initiative was a collaborative effort of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry; the Civil Defence Commission; the International Organisation for Migration (IOM); the Regional Democratic Council and the Guyana Defence Force.
According to the Department of Public Information, Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe was on the ground leading the undertaking.
The Minister said it was Guyana’s international obligation to make sure that our neighbours were cared for. “We are here to ensure that they have an enjoyable Christmas” Garrido-Lowe added.
The Minister said that with the number of migrant children at Khan Hill, she would ensure they receive toys for the holidays.
Further, preparations are being made to assist Venezuelan families in other areas in Region One. Last week, a similar exercise was conducted in Kaikan in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) for the migrant families living there.
Over the past few months, Guyana has seen an increase in the number of Venezuelans crossing the border to escape the political and socio-economic crisis in their homeland.
The Government has been working to ensure that these migrants are documented and vaccinated upon entry and housed in reliable shelters.