UK-Aid offers COVID-19 support for Guyana Forestry Commission

In efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and to promote safe work practices in the Forestry Sector, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, several preventive equipment and supplies were donated to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
The donation was made by acting British High Commissioner to Guyana, Ray Davidson, on behalf of UK-Aid and the Forest and Land Governance Technical Assistance Project (EFITAP) on Wednesday.
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat received the donation on behalf of the GFC, and expressed his appreciation for the timely and kind contribution.
According to a Department of Public Information report, the minister noted that as Guyana is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a continued rise, mostly attributed to the increased testing capacity and the willingness of persons to be tested. Bharrat said that as the forest workers are still engaged in work activities, they remain exposed to some extent, and the donation would immensely contribute to their safety and prevent the spread of the virus.
Maintaining the United Kingdom’s commitment to Guyana, Davidson declared that the UK remains committed to supporting implementation of Guyana’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement, and this donation forms part of such support. He expressed his pleasure in being able to allow the GFC to continue its extraordinary work, and encouraged the full use of the items donated.
As part of the EFITAP project, a total of £20,864 (approx. G$ 4.3 million) was contributed towards purchasing items to support the fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic. To date, a number of supplies have been purchased, which include two laptops as well as connectivity devices for field stations (headphones and web cameras), masks, hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers, a mist blower machine to sanitise the offices, and COVID-19 awareness material (posters, doorknob hangers and stickers).
Additionally, once purchases are completed, the items will total 1300 masks (reusable), 4 laptops, 25 headsets and webcams, 1300 hand sanitisers in various sizes, 30 wall- mounted dispensers, 30 infrared thermometers, 1900 information pieces, which include door hangers, posters and stickers, and two mist blowers for sanitising the offices.