UN agencies re-affirm support to Human Services Ministry

The United Nations (UN) re-affirmed its commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and support its agenda in providing ‘safety nets’ in several areas including child protection, elderly care, single-parent mothers, and the migrant population.

Representatives from several UN agencies made the declaration during a virtual meeting with the subject Minister, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud earlier today, October 2, 2020.

Joining the meeting were: Alison Drayton, UNFPA Caribbean Sub-Regional Director; Dr. Michel de Groulard, UNAIDS Country Director a.i; Tonni Ann Brodber, UN Women Representative Caribbean Multi-Country Office; Jairo Valverde, UNDP Resident Representative; Gillian Smith, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative; Robert Natiello, International Organization for Migrants (IOM) Chief of Mission; Sarah Dailey, World Food Programme (WFP) Head of Office Barbados; Irfan Akhtar, UNICEF Representative a.i; Adler Bynoe, UNFPA Liaison Officer Guyana; Adele Clarke, Spotlight Programme Coordinator, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and Cecillie Saenz Guerrero, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Senior Liaison Officer in Guyana.

Emphasis was placed on the technical and financial support needed to improve the lives of the vulnerable who continue to face economic hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agencies have been proactive and progressive in their support offered to these vulnerable groups. UNICEF has so far donated over 70,000 masks for frontline workers, teachers and students and supplied water and sanitization/fumigation services to child care facilities.

Likewise, the IOM has provided food supplies, temporary shelters and psychological support to both the migrant population and Guyanese, especially in the mining and logging camps. Additionally, the UN agency has established a Refugee Migrant Working Group and is optimistic the Ministry would work along with the Group to develop programmes that would positively address the migrant population issue.

Meanwhile, FAO has been at the forefront to “access and support” healthy eating and food security initiatives. A new programme is currently being developed to boost food security for vulnerable groups.

Additionally, several new UN funded programmes would be launched shortly that would target areas including domestic violence and job opportunities for women and single parent mothers.  

In light of this, Minister Persaud expressed her appreciation for the support these agencies have given to the Government of Guyana “in so many important areas including social services, education and health.” At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the agencies will compile “a working document” of prioritised programmes that represents achievable, tangible goals and timelines.