|
Even as Guyana’s efforts to raise funds and collect relief supplies for earthquake-ravaged Haiti,Matt Niskanen Capitals Jersey, some Guyanese have offered and done their services on the ground in that country following the disaster.As part of the Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit’s (CDRU) efforts to help to bring relief to the nation,Jarred Tinordi Canadiens Jersey, two Guyana Defence Force soldiers were deployed to Haiti on January 20 as part of the CRDU and have since returned after almost a month there.The two are Sergeant Leon Martin of the Defence Operations Centre and Corporal Eion Junor,Mike Gartner Capitals Jersey, a carpenter of the 4 Engineer Battalion unit.An organ of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, CDRU comprises personnel from the Defence and police forces of the region who fill various appointments that are rotated annually. Personnel assembled in April and after undergoing collective training were on call in their respective countries. The Unit was deployed to Haiti shortly after the earthquake.Martin’s specific duties entailed the setting up of the Operational Centre at the Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport,Mike Green Red Wings Jersey, while Junor participated in the building of tents and other accommodation for the members of the Caribbean military contingent on the ground. Both soldiers spent three weeks in Haiti.While there,Pavel Datsyuk Red Wings Jersey, the soldiers said they also engaged in the distribution of food supplies to persons who were forced to flee their homes in Port– au–Prince after the earthquake hit on January 12.Leogane,Nicklas Lidstrom Red Wings Jersey, Fonds Verettes,Alexander Semin Canadiens Jersey, Monville and Cil‘eque are some of the cities where the soldiers engaged in food distribution.The soldiers recounted the level of destruction to the country’s infrastructure as well as the conditions under which its people are now forced to survive. They confirmed the images made available daily by international media,Gustav Nyquist Red Wings Jersey, but called the experience a rewarding one which has forced them to be more appreciative of life.They spoke too of the desperate measures which some Haitians turned to in search of a meal and remembered one instance where they charged towards a vehicle containing food items forcing it to return to the makeshift barracks.Caricom heads are currently mulling the deployment of a contingent to supplement the Jamaica Defence Force,Justin Williams Capitals Jersey, who had deployed to Haiti shortly after the earthquake. |
|