Humanitarian work in Guyana

Background

Guyana, although geographically in mainland South America, is culturally and economically part of the Caribbean. A former British colony, the country’s official language is English. Guyana’s population is made up of people of East Indian and African origin as well as indigenous Amerindians.

The country covers an area of 215,000 km2 and has a relatively small population of less than 800,000. The name Guyana means ‘land of many waters’ and is vulnerable to regular flooding. Much of the population lives along the rivers, below sea level, and these areas have experienced particularly severe flooding in the last couple of years.

Oxfam has worked on long-term projects in Guyana for several years now, with Guyanese partners like the Rice Farmers Association, indigenous organisations and women’s groups. Following last year’s floods, which affected about half the country’s population, Oxfam carried out a series of disaster response programmes, funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian department, ECHO.

What is Oxfam doing?

Over the next year, Oxfam will continue its work to improve food security and disaster preparedness in communities affected by the floods, with continued funding from ECHO. This third phase of the project aims to restore people’s livelihoods, increase food security, and develop a community based disaster preparedness system in these communities.

Oxfam is helping the rice and cattle farmers restore their income to pre-flood levels by providing essential agricultural supplies and an improved veterinary service. Young people in the area will be helped to set up small businesses, mainly in the area of chicken farming, and Oxfam is also helping one thousand families to grow vegetables in their own back yards.

Oxfam is working with these communities to set up disaster preparedness committees, which will develop a participative disaster preparedness and response plan that will define hazards, vulnerabilities, evacuation routes, shelter locations and procedures to minimise flood risk.

Oxfam will be providing training in risk analysis, first aid, health and sanitation and disaster response, combined with a public information campaign about health and disaster response.

Oxfam is also working closely with the Guyanese health and education ministries to play an active role in the community preparedness plans.

Who will benefit?

The project is being implemented in 21 flood-affected villages of East Coast Demerara, and will reach about 60,000 people.

 

Last updated: Feb 06