CARICOM Secretariat and Guyana private sector support Dominica relief effort

A CARICOM Secretariat organised flight with relief supplies donated by member companies of the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) left Ogle International airport for storm-damaged Dominica, Saturday morning.

The donations of medical supplies, generators, cleaning items and cash were made by New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company, Gaico Construction and General Services Inc., National Hardware, Demerara Tobacco Co Ltd and CAMEX.

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque who received the items before leaving Guyana on Thursday for a first hand assessment of the devastation in Dominica, thanked the PSC for their generous response to the relief effort.

“I can tell you these items will be well received, knowing the situation on the ground”, the Secretary-General said.

PSC Chairman, Major General (Ret) Norman Mc Lean said its members were keen to be early and make meaningful contributions to the relief effort in a fellow CARICOM Member State.
“We are our brothers’ keepers and this is what is expected of us. The Commission is working assiduously to ensure further meaningful contributions.”

Tropical storm Erika hit Dominica with torrential rains on Thursday August 27, which left more than 30 persons dead and hundreds homeless, and caused extensive damage to the country’s infrastructure. The Government has declared nine special disaster areas.