“UG Cares” steps up national, international efforts for Guyana’s flood disaster relief

– staff donate $1M to CDC

– hampers, care packages, infection prevention videos, fliers produced and circulated 

(University of Guyana/Georgetown/ June 12/ 2021/ UG Steps Up National and International Efforts for Guyana’s Flood Disaster Relief) The University of Guyana which began an internal flood relief drive among staff last Sunday has communicated to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) that it will donate $1 million toward relief efforts to aid flood-stricken communities in Guyana. The money was raised from staff who authorized deductions from their June salaries in response to a call from Vice-Chancellor, XI, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin.

A separate activity specifically for UG students, staff, pensioners, and alumni most affected is being managed internally.

Other persons including Social Work graduate and undergraduate students under the leadership of Social Work lecturers Debbie Hopkinson and Shonnel Enoe-Smith within the Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit will team up to make a contribution. This will include food hampers, water and care packages inclusive of cleaning supplies, masks, and sanitising agents to those in need (special focus on children and elderly) who can be easily reached by UG.

Additionally, the Social Work Unit through PACE UG Cares Hotline Service stands ready to provide psychosocial support and referrals to social services for specialised assistance with socio-economic/mental health needs of those affected. Further,          student volunteers are eager to provide voluntary service where needed in                        collaboration with key partners such as the CDC.

The University has produced several health fliers and videos reminding persons of how to stay safe under flood hazardous conditions. These materials can be found free of charge at the URL below and are also circulated through email, WhatsApp and social media.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u8RIBwQbRa7hoSHVB8w0C40WQoxurjKj?usp=sharing

UG Cares Helpline Numbers- Powered by GTT are:  615-7829, 615-9727, 616-2576, 615-9730, 615-9482, 615-9704, 615-9990, 638-4394.

“UG Cares” was set up last year as a rapid response community relief intervention system for Faculty and students severely affected by the COVID -19 pandemic. It was then deployed to alumni, civil society organisations and other government agencies that requested psycho-social and technical support as well as scientific inputs into emergency decision-making.

The University of Guyana’s faculty, staff, and students are deeply saddened by the widespread devastation and trauma being experienced by Guyanese whose homes,    agricultural fields and livestock were inundated by the recent floods. As the national University, “UG” pledges to do whatever it can to assist in the recovery efforts that will be needed in the coming days.

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UG IN BRIEF The University of Guyana is the 58th year state University of Guyana. It offers 136 programmes in over 60 disciplines online and face-to-face in 8 campuses across Guyana. With a student population of now 10,000, UG has provided education, learning and research for over 50,000 alumni. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation and of all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical inquiry. UG’s forward thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana.