MOAA Distributes Food Hampers To Region Nine Residents

- to help mitigate El Nino effects

Georgetown, January 07, 2010

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has donated over 1500 food hampers to residents of South Central and Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine to help mitigate the effects of the prevailing El Nino like conditions and to provide relief to the residents.

Food hampers being distributed by Toshao Sigfred Albert of Potarinau to villagers

Thirteen communities were provided with food hampers worth over $3.8M. These hampers were distributed during the period December 29, 2009 to January 4, 2010 by Projects Officers of the Ministry. The communities were selected based on a previous Ministerial outreach by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and team from the Ministry and Hinterland Coordinator, Harry Persuad Nokta.

The hampers included a quantity of red beans, rice, sugar, farine and cooking oil. The table below shows the communities that received food hampers and the quantity of hampers distributed.

Communities			Hampers distributed
Achawib			120
Awarewauna			104
Katoonarib			220
Maruranau			123
Nappi			200
Parabara			50
Parikwarinau			64
Potarinau			110
Rupunau			80
Sand Creek			130
Sawariwau			130
Shea			70
Shulinab			100

During the Minister visit to the Region, residents had complained of inadequate food supplies due to the loss of crops as a result of the prevailing harsh weather patterns. Residents welcomed the assistance and lauded the government for providing assistance in their time of need.

Villagers of Parikwarinau and CDO before the hampers were officially handed over

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture. The Region is also benefiting from other El Nino relief which was approved by President Bharrat Jagdeo.