I was surprised at the condemnation attributed to Minister Priya Manickchand of the announced appeal by the Red Cross Society in Guyana for emergency monetary donations to boost its aid to disaster-hit Haiti.
While I feel confident that all of Guyana is supportive of a maximum national effort to assist the people of Haiti and while the initiative by the government to bring stakeholders together for that purpose is to be commended, it would be mistaken to believe that all efforts have to be managed by, or chanelled through, the government.
It may well be the case that some who are prepared to give may not wish to do so in one particular way or another. The Red Cross is an institution of international repute and I can see absolutely no harm being done by the direct solicitation of its arm here.
The effort to render assistance should not be a political event or a politicised process. Let Guyanese be free to channel their efforts through whichever agency they feel most comfortable with. The assistance that may be forthcoming should be viewed as coming from the people of Guyana for the people of Haiti.
Yours faithfully,
Winston Murray
