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USAID Supporting Flood Victims in Guyana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2005
2005-03
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
Contact: USAID Press Office
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working closely with the government of Guyana, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide aid to flood victims in Guyana. As of January 28, USAID has provided a total of $447,012 in emergency relief assistance.
Heavy rainfall that began in late December 2004 has caused severe flooding in the administrative regions of West Demerara/Essequibo Islands, Demerara/Mahaica, Mahaica/West Berbice, and the capital city of Georgetown. As of January 25, a total of 192,000 residents have been directly affected by the flooding. If there is no further rainfall, the flood waters will take between 30 and 39 days to dissipate.
On January 18, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Roland W. Bullen declared a disaster due to the damage caused by the flooding. USAID immediately responded by providing $50,000 to the government of Guyana for the provision of emergency relief items. On January 19, a USAID Regional Advisor and a USAID Latin America and Caribbean Consultant assessed the situation and helped coordinate U.S. government efforts in the region. A second USAID Regional Advisor and a USAID Communications Officer traveled to Guyana on January 24 to further assess the needs of the affected population.
On January 24, USAID provided an additional $100,000 for the local purchase of emergency relief supplies. On January 25, USAID airlifted 10,000 ten-liter water containers and 10,000 hygiene kits, valued at approximately $72,500, excluding transport. In addition, USAID provided $150,000 to support the PAHO appeal for emergency health services. USAID is currently processing another $50,000 for clean-up supplies and activities. Seven shallow bottom boats and 10,000 cotton blankets, which will add up to approximately $170,000, will arrive on February 2.
For further information on USAID's humanitarian efforts in Guyana, please visit our website: http://www.usaid.gov/.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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