Venezuelan immigrants to receive food hampers

─ 60 food hampers to be delivered to Region One

─ several vaccinated against various diseases

─ 53 immigrant families with 260 persons stationed at four campsites

─ household, sanitation and hygiene items already delivered to immigrants

DPI, Guyana, Monday, July 23, 2018

Government’s Multi-agency Coordinating committee will soon deliver approximately sixty food hampers to Region One as part of intensified efforts to support Venezuelan immigrants.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the hampers will aid in addressing the needs of these persons.

There are 53 immigrant families with 260 persons stationed at four campsites.

The Multi-agency Coordinating Committee includes members from the Guyana Police Force, the Ministries of Communities, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Social Protection, Public Health and Citizenship and the Civil Defence Commission.

Since its formation, the group has already distributed household, sanitation and hygiene items to the immigrants. Health workers, police and immigration officers have also been deployed to the border communities to support the Ministry of Public Health in inoculating these persons.

Minister Felix said these services are necessary to safeguard Guyanese from potential threats. “We have become conscious of the fact that the Cuyuni River can become very contaminated because of activities outside of Guyana and we share the same river with the location from which the contaminations coming from. That is why health is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of diseases to persons who are in Guyana.”

In Region One, Barima-Waini several persons have been vaccinated. To date, 65 persons were vaccinated against yellow fever, 77 against measles, 31 against Polio, 35 against Tuberculosis, while the BCG vaccine has been administered to several babies. Additionally, one woman in Mabaruma was hospitalised and three children for malnutrition. Minister Felix told DPI that these cases are currently being treated.

The aim of the committee is to coordinate a response to the migration of Venezuelans into Guyana primarily through Barima-Waini, Region One and Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven.

By: Ranetta La Fleur

Image: Department of Public Information (DPI)