MYO supports St. Vincent volcano relief efforts

The Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) at the weekend donated a large quantity of food items and cleaning agents, valued G$4 million, to government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to help with the island’s volcano relief efforts.

The La Soufriere volcano erupted on April 9, 2021, and many have been displaced because of its eruption and the spewing of ash.

Guyana has been making efforts to assist its CARICOM counterpart, and according to the Civil Defence Commission Director General, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, the MYO donation will be part of the next shipment destined for the island.

The donation, which includes rice, sugar, flour, chowmein, sanitisation and hygiene items and personal protective equipment, will leave for the island this week.

MYO Vice-President Imran Ally said the items were garnered from donors, and plans are afoot to have another such donation soon.

“The Muslim Youth Organisation has been known over the years to be a generous organisation and more so, in this time of need, we have contacted our members and they would have given us these donations to make to the Government and people of St. Vincent,” Ally said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s first shipment of 350 tonnes of disaster relief items for the volcano ravaged St. Vincent and the Grenadines, arrived on the Caribbean Island Saturday morning.

Led by Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, a party of government officials were on site to witness the arrival of the items, which will immediately go towards supporting persons in shelters.

Also there was Guyana’s Consul General, Nigel Russell, with staff from the Guyana Consulate in St. Vincent. A highly appreciative Gonsalves said it was a “significant shipment… a big donation.”

Referring to biblical teachings, the Prime Minister hailed Guyana as the head cornerstone in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“I used to always say in the day when things were a little difficult in Guyana that they would be the head cornerstone in CARICOM… it is almost like biblical prophecy being fulfilled,” the Prime Minister said.