Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 06, 2009 News
The efforts of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Flood Preparedness Committee were boosted yesterday with an assured Red Cross Society endowment of more than 4,000 jerry cans.
At a simple ceremony, more than 1,000 jerry cans were handed over by Head of the humanitarian entity, Dorothy Fraser, to the water company’s chief executive officer, Karan Singh.
According to Fraser, the donation is intended to help GWI to better distribute clean water to residents in flood-affected communities.
She said that the cans are very durable, and residents will be able to return several times to access water from GWI water distribution exercises in the various communities.
“We would have liked to have been able to bring more today, but we are only able to supply this amount that (we have) in stock; but we are expecting, through what we are calling the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), more to come in by the middle of January, if all goes well.”
Fraser said that the Red Cross is very happy to collaborate with the water company in this regard, and will continue to spread good messages about clean and safe water, to promote healthier and safer lives.
And, according to Singh, the Red Cross has in fact come forward with its donation in a very timely manner, given that the rainy season has not yet ended.
He disclosed that there are still a number of areas that are inundated, thus the water company is tasked with moving ahead aggressively to ensure that residents of the affected areas are able to get clean water for drinking and for personal hygiene purposes.
Singh pointed out that the cans are considered the ideal containers for storing water, even as he lamented the attempt by some residents to receive water in damaged containers, saying that it defeats the water company’s intent to supply clean water.
The water company was also recently endowed with 50 black water tanks from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
Singh said that the GWI flood committee is working assiduously with the Region Four Democratic Council and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
The CDC, he said, has to pronounce on the areas in which jerry cans will be distributed, and where the tanks will be mounted.
“Hopefully, in another couple of days, these will be located in those identified areas that are most affected…,” Singh disclosed,
At yesterday’s ceremony, the CEO also said that the water company is awaiting a supply of chlorine tablets from UNICEF, to address the issue of sustaining the cleanliness of the water supplied to residents.
“When you have situations like what is occurring in Guyana, on the Coastal Belt and on the East Coast, what you find is that one of the areas of threat is the drinking water, and this is why we are working very seriously to make sure that as (far as possible), we can supply safe, clean water to the residents of these affected communities.”
Following the presentation yesterday, the GWI Flood Preparedness Committee held a meeting to plot strategies on the way forward in addressing flood situations.
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]