Floods in Rupununi - Guyana Red Cross distributes supplies and monitors situation

The Guyana Red Cross Society GRC) has begun responding to the flood situation in Rupununi, Region #9, which has been experiencing heavier than usual flooding due to rainfall and rising rivers. 

The GRC’s Lethem Branch is working in partnership with regional authorities, Remote Area Medical/Wings of Hope (RAM/WoH), the malaria officer, businesses and private entities to conduct assessments and get relief supplies out.  The GRC has been focusing much of its activities on water and sanitation, hygiene and health promotion. 

In June the National Society provided lifejackets, boots, and other supplies to enable local branch volunteers to carry out assessments.  Supplies of nets, hygiene kits, mosquito coils, and jerry cans were dispatched to affected families. 

On July 14, with water levels rising again, the GRC in collaboration with RAM/WoH, continued its assessments and distribution of supplies which included jerry cans, hygiene kits and mosquito coils. These supplies were distributed to 50 families in one of the worst affected communities. Additional requests were made for more jerry cans, hygiene kits, baby hampers, food hampers, clean up kits, mosquito coils and nets.

Communication with the Lethem Branch, as well as reports from several communities, has necessitated the need for Red Cross to launch a national appeal to sustain and expand the relief response to the needs of vulnerable families in communities.

The GRC will continue to liaise with regional authorities and the Civil Defence Commission on the situation.