Latest update February 23rd, 2025 1:40 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Inhuman distribution of aid

Jan 25, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,

The world continues to be troubled by great natural disasters affecting the lives of millions and in the case of Haiti, a death toll that amounts to several thousands.

In these cases humanitarian aid is rapidly deployed…but a lesson has not been learnt by all donor agencies.

From the graphic photographs that came out of Ethiopia, Darfur, and now Haiti, we still see food and other items of survival being flung from the backs of trucks to grappling crowds, which in many cases the fittest and strongest always benefitted. What about those who are incapable to join the scrum?

During the floods in Guyana, the same methods were used. Not only is it dehumanising, but the sick, the young, the weak were unable to access whatever aid was literally thrown at them.

I devised a system in one of the villages where I urged all residents to go back to their homes and await the assistance that was forthcoming. It worked.

Not only were the donors able to see the demography of each household, they were able to assess those in greater need etc.

It is natural in any disaster that within a small time frame people will eventually find their own space and occupy it until the crisis is over.

It does take some logistical working out to implement this kind of aid distribution, but in the end, all will benefit especially the weak, the injured, the disabled. It also guarantees that the needed aid gets to those who need it most.

I hope in the future, aid agencies will adapt this holistic approach as in the end the most at risk and vulnerable will be able to be cared for.

Deo Persaud

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

The Battle for Barbados: One Guyana Racing Stable faces off against top U.S. Trainers for Gold Cup supremacy

The Battle for Barbados: One Guyana Racing Stable faces off against...

Feb 23, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- The battle lines are drawn. One Guyana Racing Stable is here to make history. With the post positions set for the 2025 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, all eyes are on Guyana’s rising...
Read More
Tyrrell breaks 12-year-old school record to claim SUNYAC-AMCC title

Tyrrell breaks 12-year-old school record to claim...

Feb 23, 2025

Raja Pooran inspires Everest Masters to victory in Costa Rica

Raja Pooran inspires Everest Masters to victory...

Feb 23, 2025

BCB saddened at the passing of the late Lennox Phillips, extends condolences

BCB saddened at the passing of the late Lennox...

Feb 23, 2025

Berbice Cricket Board names 15-man squad to participate in Inter County U15 cricket competition

Berbice Cricket Board names 15-man squad to...

Feb 23, 2025

 Slingerz FC shines at Guyana Energy Conference and Youth Forum

 Slingerz FC shines at Guyana Energy Conference...

Feb 22, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • Crowds, chaos and complaints

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The folly of the cash grant distribution is a textbook case of what happens when a government,... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]