Some sixty households in Guyana’s remotest Indigenous village of Masakenari (Gunns Strip) in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are the latest recipients of COVID-19 supplies spearheaded by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
CDC’s Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, and Toshao, Paul Chekema – Photo Credit: (CDC)
The village, which is located at the Essequibo River source and boasts a Wai-Wai and Macushi heritage, received face masks, cleaning, and food supplies, along with a quantity of Vitamin C for use by villagers who are impacted by the travel and trade restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Toshao, Paul Chekema, received the donations on behalf of the community at the benab in the Village Council. Chekema expressed his gratitude for the much needed and timely intervention.
Travelling to the community to personally oversee the presentation was CDC’s Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig. In his address to the villagers, he appealed for them to be vigilant and observe the COVID-19 protocols to protect themselves and their families.
He further noted that the supplies are expected to last them approximately one month and assured that other assistance would be forthcoming as the government, through the CDC, ramps up its Relief Response Programme.
The villagers participated in transporting the supplies from Gunns Strip – the airstrip – into the village some three miles inland and also expressed their joy at the timely gesture.
The Toshao shared with the Director-General the village’s constraints and services needed to aid them in surviving the pandemic. The Director-General assured him that the concerns raised would be considered and addressed in the shortest possible time.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The hampers distributed are from taxpayers monies as the Government of Guyana would inject millions into the CDC annually for relief efforts.
