Guyana commended for contribution to relief efforts in Türkiye and Syria

On 15 February, 2023, the Government of Guyana announced financial contributions to the relief efforts in Turkiye and Syria. The earthquakes of 6 February claimed over forty-one thousand lives in the two countries. Millions of people need humanitarian assistance, especially children.   

I am professionally and personally moved by this announcement.

I have friends and family in that part of the world. Therefore, this is very close to me.

But for the people of Guyana, those places are so so far away. There are no pressing political or economic ties. There are also needs in Guyana and closer to home in the Caribbean. 

But this contribution is significant for precisely those reasons.  

First, this contribution is a decisive demonstration of Guyana’s commitment to global solidarity as a principle of international relations and peace and to end human suffering everywhere.

Second, the Government of Guyana has chosen to provide its assistance through the United Nations, responding to the UN Secretary General’s appeals. This allows for the assistance of Guyana to join those made by others in solidarity and for greater impact.

When the images of the devastation from my home country appeared on screens in Guyanese homes, friends and colleagues called and checked on my loved ones.  A few days later, I found envelopes of small cash at my home here in Georgetown. My Guyanese neighbours had left their modest gifts at my door with their sympathy notes and prayers - in all faiths.  I deposited them online with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Food Program (WFP).

During my official functions as UN Resident Coordinator, my civil society and Government partners including Ministers all took moments out to reflect on my people’s loss back home. They drew lessons from the global solidarity for their own renewed commitment to serve, to improve, to lift those who may need assistance here.

This contribution made by the Head of State on behalf of the people of Guyana gives a tangible shape and volume to the thoughtfulness, kindness and the many acts of solidarity which I had the profound honour to witness in the past days.

All those individual thoughts, prayers and contributions are herewith compounded with those of many others from all around the globe, sending a message from a Guyana for humanity through the global family of nations, the United Nations.

And for all those reasons, and many more, accept Guyana please my profound gratitude, love and respect.