ExxonMobil has donated $5M towards flood relief efforts. The sume has been handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to assist in relief efforts for flood affected areas in Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) and Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight). Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Guyana, Ms. Kimberly Brasington, was tasked with handing over the much needed gesture to Acting Director General of the CDC, Major Kester Craig.
Ms. Kimberly Brasington, Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Guyana, Mr. Carlton James, Public and Government Affairs Manager, Esso Eploration and Production Guyana Limited, Major Kester Craig, acting Director General of the Civil Defence Commission and CDC’s Ms. Sophia Gafoor.
She said that the company takes it corporate social responsibility to the citizens of Guyana seriously and added that in times of crises it is important that resources are combined to ensure a rapid response. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the CDC and disaster response and risk management, welcomed the donation and said that the Government thanks all members of the private sector, including ExxonMobil that have made resources available to the CDC to support their work. “We will ensure that whatever donations are made cater to the needs of the people. It is heartening to see everyone coming together and doing whatever they can at this time to bring relief to the residents affected and it is a culture like this that we want to promote in Guyana; where we all come together to do our best if our brothers and sisters are affected,” he said.
Acting Director General of the CDC, Major Kester Craig said that the donation will go a long way towards providing immediate relief to residents in affected areas. “On behalf of the Civil Defence Commission and the Government of Guyana, I would like to express profound appreciation and gratitude for the timely and most appropriate intervention for bringing relief to the residents of the affected communities. I can assure you that the grant will be utilised to ensure that the most suitable needs are given to the affected,” he said.
To date, the Government has spent more than $8M on disaster response and relief activities as a result of flooding in the affected regions. This amount does not reflect donations, which have been made by private individuals and companies over the past few days.