Programme purpose: National Societies in the Caribbean region are implementing efficient, responsive and focused programmes that contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable people. These programmes are aligned with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)? Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the IFRC's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Programmes summary: The first half of

Government continues to monitor the current extended La Nina period that is affecting livelihood in the hinterland regions. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to dispatched the variety of food stuff to aid the residents of North and South Pakaraima, Region Nine, which has been waterlogged for almost six weeks.

The relief effort is being spearheaded by Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development and Amerindian

Residents of Chinawying, an Amerindian community in Region Seven, who were affected by La Nina, were given food materials and other equipment by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Agriculture Ministry.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Permanent Secretary Colin Croal and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, George Jarvis recently visited the village to provide support to the residents and provide solutions to issues that were affecting them.

Food items were distributed to residents

Georgetown, GINA, May 19, 2010

As part of the $400M El Nino intervention by President Bharrat Jagdeo, to safeguard the livelihood of farmers and in keeping with Government's renewed thrust to modernise the agriculture sector, the sixth of 12 drying floors was commissioned today by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud.

Five others have already been commissioned at Crane, Region Three, Bath Settlement, Region Five, Bengal and Crabwood Creek, Region Six and Walton Hall, Essequibo, Region Two.

Region Two farmers will benefit from the $300M assistance programme announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo to cushion the effects of El Nino. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today told rice farmers that $23M will benefit Region Two rice farmers.

"Recognizing the difficulties that the El Nino condition would pose to farmers in general, Government has been committed and have embarked on an assistance programme to help farmers move into the next crop."

"Out of the total package that was

Georgetown, GINA, April 30, 2010

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud today visited farmers at Leguan and Wakenaam to launch a national recovery programme for rice farmers who suffered from the effects of El Niño.

In addition, the programme will be assisting other communities that have been affected.

The support programme will be two-fold: seed paddy and fertilisers will be distributed to the farmers who had lost their crops. This assistance will also be given countrywide.

The programme is being implemented by

Hydrologist Garvin Cummings said that the weather conditions that the Coast has been experiencing for the past few days are a result of the influences of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone.

"The Inter-tropical Convergence Zone has been influenced by a sub-tropical jet in the upper atmosphere,

President Bharrat Jagdeo spent the earlier part of his Easter holiday in the Rupununi, engaging in important discussions with Region Nine Toshaos on the challenges and solutions to the prevailing El Niño phenomenon which has wreaked havoc in several communities.

Accompanied by Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and representatives of the Guyana Water Incorporated, the President told the Toshaos gathered at the St. Ignatius benab that Government is fully aware

Georgetown, GINA, April 1, 2010

The ever changing weather pattern continues to present new challenges to the availability of potable water as the impending climate change phenomenon modifies existing local environmental conditions, bringing many hardships to several Amerindian communities of the hinterland region.

In line with immediate development plans to bring relief to residents of affected villages, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali along with Permanent Secretary of his Ministry, Emil