A total of 43 persons who have suffered financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have received vouchers from the Ministry of Social Protection to assist them in purchasing groceries.
Public Relations Officer at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Stan Gouveia told the News Room that the vouchers are valued at $32,000. The CDC facilitates payment of the supermarkets where the vouchers are en-cashed.
Some persons who en-cashed their vouchers at the Survival Supermarket on Thursday lauded the Government for the initiative.
“I think it a very good gesture, I feel happy about it,” an elderly resident of Sophia said.
A father of four who travelled from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo said: “this is a very good initiative especially in this crisis here…for the family who cannot afford to [support] their children who they have at home.”
Beneficiaries are required to apply online or by calling the Ministry of Social Protection to register for the COVID-19 Public Assistance Programme. The programme targets single-parent households, households in which one or more persons suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19 and households that are managed by elderly persons or persons living with disabilities.
According to a recent statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, during Phase One of the programme, 1700 persons were deemed eligible to receive the vouchers on the coastland.
They will receive the vouchers via the Post Office’s Registered mail system and would be required to sign upon receiving it. The voucher is accompanied by a list which the list of supermarkets where the vouchers can be en-cashed.
The voucher is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Eligible hinterland residents will receive packaged hampers.
Recipients must observe the Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19 protocols including the wearing of a mask, sanitation of hands and physical distancing.
In the meantime, persons who may be eligible but have not yet applied can still do so. The application form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Social Protection’s website at https://mosp.gov.gy/ or https://government.gy/eform/241.
Persons who do not have internet access, contact can be made with the Ministry of Communities or the Ministry of Social Protection on toll free numbers listed below to have your application form completed by an Officer:
Mondays to Fridays 08:00am to 12:00 noon
264 2690|225 6202| 227 4410| 232 0952| 337 2667
Mondays to Fridays 12:00 noon to 5:00pm:
615 0507| 615 9495| 615 9990| 615 7839|665 2271| 615 9727| 615 7829
Saturdays and Sundays 09:00am to 5:00pm
615 9730| 615 9704| 615 9825| 615 9729| 615 9518| 615 8474| 616 2576
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Social Protection warned of persons who are soliciting monies from others under the guise of helping them fill out the COVID-19 application forms.
The Ministry said the “unscrupulous” act is prevalent in several Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) communities adding that “the Ministry has NOT authorised anyone to manually fill the forms.”
Residents are advised to contact 227-4410 or 225-6545 or make contact with the nearest Police Station in Region 6 to make a report if they have any encounter with any of these individuals. The reports will be investigated and addressed swiftly.
