Guyana sends relief supplies to earthquake-hit Venezuela with CARICOM support
Key Points(5)
- Guyana has dispatched a ship carrying humanitarian supplies to earthquake-affected Venezuela as part of a national and regional relief effort coordinated by the government.
- Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr.
- Ashni Singh, on behalf of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, oversaw the departure of the vessel from the BK Wharf at Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday.
- The shipment, bound for Caracas, Venezuela, includes 88 containers of food items, medical supplies and other essential equipment, along with 300 black water tanks and two pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment.
- The relief supplies include contributions from Guyana and seven other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states — Belize, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Guyana has dispatched a ship carrying humanitarian supplies to earthquake-affected Venezuela as part of a national and regional relief effort coordinated by the government.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on behalf of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, oversaw the departure of the vessel from the BK Wharf at Kingston, Georgetown, on Tuesday.
The shipment, bound for Caracas, Venezuela, includes 88 containers of food items, medical supplies and other essential equipment, along with 300 black water tanks and two pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment.
The relief supplies include contributions from Guyana and seven other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states — Belize, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Speaking at the wharf before the vessel’s departure, Singh recalled the widespread destruction caused by the June 24 earthquake, which resulted in significant damage, loss of life and injuries in Venezuela.
He said President Ali immediately expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the disaster and mobilized a national and regional response to provide assistance.
“Today’s shipment is the result of that effort,” Singh said, highlighting contributions from the Guyanese government, private sector, citizens and Venezuelan nationals living in Guyana.
He said the response demonstrated a broad humanitarian effort involving both Guyana and regional partners.
“I want, on President Ali’s behalf, to acknowledge the contributions made by the seven participating members of CARICOM who pledged and/or sent contributions as part of this effort,” Singh said, while thanking the countries and individuals who supported the initiative.
He emphasized the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries, stating that Guyana viewed the assistance as a necessary response during Venezuela’s time of need.
“Venezuela is our neighbor, the Venezuelan people are our neighbors, and so we consider this to be the least that we could do as a country in this moment of tragedy in support of our Venezuelan brothers and sisters,” Singh said.
The vessel is expected to arrive in Venezuela within four days, where the supplies will be delivered to a United States humanitarian team operating in the country for coordination and distribution as part of a wider relief effort.
Singh said Guyana remains in communication with international partners involved in the humanitarian response and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting Venezuela during the recovery process.
He also extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in the disaster and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
