– 8,000 tonnes of relief supplies being mobilised
(Demerara Waves) – Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers are to being mobilised to possibly travel to neighbouring Venezuela to assist with recovery efforts in the aftermath of last Wednesday’s deadly earthquakes that killed 1,430 persons and injured 3,200 others.
As the search continues for more than 50,000 others, President Irfaan Ali on Saturday said GDF soldiers would travel to Venezuela to assist. “We have offered to have a team from the Guyana Defense Force on the ground to help in the recovery efforts in Venezuela,” he said.
No further details were provided about whether Venezuela accepted the offer and when the Guyanese soldiers would depart.
Meanwhile, a cargo vessel is expected to leave Guyana next Friday with 8,000 tonnes of food, pharmaceuticals and other emergency supplies that were being provided by the local private sector and coordinated by the Civil Defence Commission.
Dr Ali said St Kitts and Nevis has already agreed to donate two containers of pre-packed food items and one container of pharmaceuticals.
He said the boat is expected to leave Guyana on Friday and arrive in Venezuela next Tuesday.
A GDF representative told a livestream on Saturday afternoon that the military and the CDC would provide personnel to man and staff the collection point.
