Human Services Ministry to partner with FAO on community-based projects

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will partner with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to create and design viable projects for the benefit of women and impoverished families.

The agreement was made between Hon Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the subject Minster, and Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO’s Representative to Guyana during a meeting this morning at the Ministry’s Headquarters.

Minister Persaud, who briefed Dr. Smith on some of the “action oriented projects” to be undertaken by the Ministry, underscored the need to develop projects aimed at targeting vulnerable groups including single mothers and school dropouts.

“The Ministry’s goal is to provide employment and empower these individuals to become self-reliant, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. We want to focus on projects that are sustainable with tangible targets,” Hon Persaud stated.

Dr. Smith was enthused with the Ministry’s initiatives, which are in the conceptualization stages, and pledged FAO’s commitment to working with the Ministry to execute the said projects.

Both Minister and Dr. Smith agreed that it was imperative that beneficiaries have equal access and opportunities to all programmes and services provided by the Ministry.

FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that fosters international efforts to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition and food security.