Region One to benefit from $ 3M CAD human services project
Canadian High Commissioner for Guyana, Mark K. Berman and UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron meeting with Khan’s Hill CDC Deputy Chairman Sharmaine Smith (right)
Berman High Commissioner and UNICEF Representative Nicolas Pron sign the agreement
Kaieteur News – United Nations International Child Crisis Fund (UNICEF) representative Nicolas Pron, along with Canada’s High Commissioner for Guyana, Mark K. Berman, have partnered to help birth a $ 3 million CAD project to assist human services in Region One.
The long-running project aims to secure better services for the most vulnerable members of the One-Barima Waini Region, including children and migrants.
This comes after the two representatives visited the Region on March 23, last. A meeting has been arranged with the authorities in that area to better understand the living conditions there.
Extensive discussions were held with the Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley and various heads of agencies. Mabaruma Mayor and Deputy Mayor Chris Phang and Carolyn Robinson and their officials were also involved in the engagement.
The teams also met with the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Steven Cheefoon and Khan’s Hill Civil Defense Commission (CDC) Deputy Chairman Sharmaine Smith. The officials shared some of the pressing issues they face in the Region including the influx of Venezuelan migrants, access to the public health system, very solid waste disposal systems, unemployment and agricultural resuscitation.
According to a joint press release from Canadian and UNICEF officials, signing this project will provide funding to support health, education and other community-based services in Region one and other regions that demonstrate need.
High Commissioner Berman said in his remarks that he was delighted to partner with UNECIF on the project, as it would address all the issues presented during the recent tour. Problems affecting childcare and educational services are to be mitigated along with increased efforts to ensure that those facing more vulnerabilities do not fall further behind in recovering from the pandemic.
UNICEF Representative Pron said the partnership with the Canadian High Commission comes at a critical time as there is a need to work together to ensure that no one is left behind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Pron also claimed that UNICEF had been supporting grassroots authorities since 2018 under the Emergency Response / Migrant program and had positive results.