ExxonMobil on Wednesday handed over a cheque in the amount of US$25,000 from the ExxonMobil Foundation to the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the agency spearheading the coordination of relief efforts following widespread flooding in remotes areas in the South American country.
ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Manager in Guyana, Kimberly Brasington, said
that the company takes its Corporate Social Responsibility to the citizens of Guyana seriously. “We would like to support the CDC and the Regions to respond rapidly to address the needs of the affected residents. Anywhere ExxonMobil operates, including Guyana, we take our Corporate Social Responsibility seriously and this is a situation and opportunity, where the communities are in need and we can come together and find a way to help,” she said.
Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the CDC and disaster response and risk management, welcomed the donation and said the Guyana government thanks all members of the private sector, including ExxonMobil, that have made resources available to the CDC to support their work. “I want to thank all the companies for their response and for making their resources available to the Civil Defence Commission. We will ensure that whatever donations are made cater to the needs of the people. It is heartening to see everyone coming together and doing whatever they can at this time to bring relief to the residents affected and it is a culture like this that we want to promote in Guyana; where we all come together to do our best if our brothers and sisters are affected,” he said.
Acting Director General of the CDC, Major Kester Craig said that the donation will go a long way towards providing immediate relief to residents in affected areas. “On behalf of the Civil Defence Commission and the Government of Guyana, I would like to express profound appreciation and gratitude for the timely and most appropriate intervention for bringing relief to the residents of the affected communities. I can assure you that the grant will be utilised to ensure that the most suitable needs are given to the affected,” he said.
Flash floods have devastated parts of Region 7 and 8, affecting over 3,000 residents and washing away farms and houses in that part of the country.
ExxonMobil said it will be working with the CDC to further identify needs of the communities affected by the flooding.
