The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon in a letter to President Bharrat Jagdeo has lauded the Government’s contribution of US$ 1M to aid relief efforts for earthquake-devastated Haiti.
The Secretary General said that “the funds were not only timely, but an example of neighbourly solidarity to a country in dire need. Guyana is a generous donor to Haiti in terms of per capita GDP and I commend you and the Guyanese people, who I understand have separately managed to raise over $266M to date.”

Additionally, over 15 containers of food items, water and clothing have been shipped to Haiti.
Haiti’s capital was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, killing tens of thousands of people.
The financial contributions of several countries to the Haitian crisis were assessed by the Relief Web, Guardian Datablog: Information is Beautiful, which placed Guyana on top of the list of the most generous countries.
Guyana’s donation was rated as 0.088 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) crediting it the most generous country to have donated to Haiti. Second in line was Ghana with 0.018 percent.

Source: GINA

by Shirley Thomas

-boost fund by $100,000
GUYANA’S Relief Fund for the people of earthquake-ravaged Haiti was yesterday given a further boost with a donation of G$100,000 by the Women’s Club of the Indian Cultural Centre in Georgetown.

This goodwill gesture was played out last evening during the Club’s 30th anniversary Dinner and Dance held at the Grand Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel.

The function was also part of the Club’s way of ushering in activities for International Women’s Day to be observed tomorrow.

A cheque for the amount donated was handed over to Chairperson of the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Hon. Priya Manickchand-Murli by the oldest serving Club member, Mrs. Raati Persaud, with accompanying sentiments offered by the Club’s President, Mrs. Malti Sahai.

Secretary for the Women’s Club of the Indian Cultural Centre, Mrs. Babs Ramotar, delighted to be associated with the initiative, said that the money donated was acquired through a number of fundraising drives, such as a Phagwah box cake sale organized by the Club.

Meanwhile, an elated Minister Manickchand expressed gratitude to the donors, noting that she was extremely pleased and very impressed with the very many innovative ways in which persons have been using their talents to raise money to help other human beings in need.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security and Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief Priya Manickchand updated the media on the status of the Committee at another donation ceremony today, which was held at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Office, Thomas Lands.

She mentioned that a total of 19 containers were sent to Haiti and another is being packed to leave tomorrow. The approximate funds garnered by the Committee as of February 12, exceeded $264.4 M. In addition, in excess of $50 M has been donated in kind so far.

At today’s presentation, the Committee received an undisclosed donation from the staff of Courts Guyana Inc. Courts also formed a mother-committee, which made accommodations in its branches for any contributions that could be made by other corporations and citizens. They were successful since they received 15 boxes of shoes from Colors and a total of $ 1.4 M in mattresses.

On Friday 5th the National Committee for Haiti Relief received S2.5 million from GT&T, $250,000 from RK Security Services, $105,000 from the Sisters of Haiti, $100,660 from the staff of Guyana Forestry Commission, $100,000 from MP Insurance Brokers, and $48,580 from the Mothers of Guyana.

N&S Mattai.also donated Biscuits (3 lb) – 20 ctns, Split Peas (100 lbs) – 20 bags and Blackeye Peas (100 lb) – 10 bags, all worth $261,000.

Minister Priya Manickchand thanked all contributors towards the Haitian cause and the media for helping to keep a sustained interest by continuously highlighting the Haitian plight.

She said that so far in excess of $45 million in kind was contributed and last Tuesday three containers left for Jamaica while ten more containers left this week bound straight for Haiti. The shipment will be arriving in Haiti on Monday 8th.

Previously there was a problem of accessibility to Port-au-Prince in Haiti, as main roads were blocked and there was a shortage of fuel and heavy machinery to clear up debris, a situation that resulted in problems for persons coming in to bring contributions.

Everyday donations continue to pour in as Guyanese of all ages contributed foodstuff, water, clothing and shoes in a national effort to help ease the suffering of their Haitians brothers and sisters. Large and medium sized companies, small companies and their staff, teachers, school children, public servants, churches and other organisation, all are genuinely happy to give whatever they could afford.

Minister Priya Manickchand had nothing but praise for all, especially those who had so little and still managed to contribute $1,000 or $2,000 to the Haiti Relief Fund.

Renaldo Flemming, teacher at St. Stanislaus College, said that the staff got together and decided to do something for the people of Haiti and on behalf of the staff and students of St. Stanislaus College he made a donation of 2 boxes of food items.

Neal and Massy Guyana director, Shameer Hoosein, donated a cheque to the amount of $750,000 and said that his company was pleased to be a part of the assistance to the people of Haiti.