CDC responsible for distributing items to Venezuelan migrants – Min. Harmon

─ Minister tells 98th Sitting of the National Assembly

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon today reminded the National Assembly of the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) role in dealing with the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

For the past few months, there has been an influx of migrants crossing Guyana’s borders at Regions One, Seven and Eight who are seeking better living condition. As such, the Government of Guyana has been honouring its commitment to rendering assistance to migrants in the form of basic health care and food and sanitation supplies.

“It is public knowledge that the CDC is the entity with responsibility for the distribution of these items.”

Minister Harmon further expressed that they work collaboratively with the regional administration and various government organisations in these regions.

He highlighted that the bulk of the migrants are in Region One. Minister of State remarked that in addition to working closing with the regional administration and government organization, the CDC collaborates with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations.

For the past several months, the Civil Defense Commission has been conducting distribution exercises in various communities in Region One where migrant families receive basic food and sanitation supplies. The items distributed were procured by the CDC and were a donation from IOM and some private entities.

Anara Khan

Image by Keno George