More support for hinterland communities in wake of COVID-19

DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 17, 2020

The new PPP/C Government has been providing the necessary additional support to hinterland communities adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Administration has been working to ensure the women, children and elderly are supported, and farmers are equipped to sustain their families and enhance food security.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Hon. Pauline Sukhai, made this disclosure recently, noting that her Ministry is collaborating with the new National Task Force, which is headed by Prime Minister, Brig. (ret’d), Hon. Mark Phillips.

During a press briefing on Saturday, the Amerindian Affairs Minister said over the next four months, Amerindian communities can expect more robust support to sustain their livelihoods.

Last week, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, and Local Government and Regional Development, began distributing close to 1,000 food hampers to border villages in Regions 8 and 9.

Communities that benefitted include Kurukubaru, Itabac, Kanapang, Bamboo Creek, and Tuseneng.

According to Minister Sukhai, these villages would have requested assistance from the former APNU+AFC Coalition Administration, after anticipating a threat of food shortages since residents were restricted from continuing their source of livelihood.

Additionally, these communities were also affected by floods in 2017, and have not yet bounced back in their agriculture drive.

The Minister condemned the slothfulness of the previous Administration to address this issue and reaffirmed the PPP/C Government’s commitment to remedy the situation.

“For the hinterland, and particularly Amerindian communities, the effect of COVID-19 can cause a tremendous burden on the villagers because they are far away from the centre of services… The bigger significant role of the Ministry, is addressing the stark neglect by the previous [APNU+AFC Coalition] Government to the hinterland. We will focus within this year, on improving the lives of the people… because they are directly affected; families, children, pensioners, the sick and the most vulnerable in the communities,” she added.

The Minister disclosed that agricultural tools will be provided to farmers in the villages so that they can sustain themselves and improve their food security issues.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry will also be working along with the Health Ministry, to ensure adequate medical supplies are available in villages. Additionally, wherever there are drug shortages, the medical supplies are to be immediately deployed.

Another challenge is the road network to access some of the areas; Minister Sukhai assured that this will be addressed immediately to ensure the smooth delivery of goods and services.

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