Venezuelan refugees removed from Kabakaburi by Coast Guard

Hampers being distributed by the Region Two RDC/CDC to the Venezuelan refugees
Hampers being distributed by the Region Two RDC/CDC to the Venezuelan refugees

The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard over the weekend and on Mon-day removed approximately 135 Venezuelan refugees from the Amerindian community of Kabakaburi, Upper Pomeroon, Region Two. The refugees were mainly from Warrau Tribes and canoed their way from Region One to Kabakaburi in Region Two.

According to information received, they journeyed to the area early Friday morning around 04:00 hrs. They passed the Pomeroon river mouth then headed to Kabakaburi. On arriving, they saw a church opened and started to occupy it.

There were over 35 families at the location. Upon hearing of their arrival, toshao of the community, Monty Simon went and visited them. The refugees were speaking the Warrau language but he persisted in his efforts to communicate with them. Simon said they begged him to stay in his area. The toshao allowed them to stay for two days but then they started to destroy residents’ crops and clear lands which he could neither condone nor tolerate.

Simon then contacted the Regional Democratic Council whereupon a team immediately visited. Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva informed that a medical team from the Suddie Public Hospital also visited. The medical team examined the group to evaluate their physical health.

De Silva also said that food hampers were given to the families provided by the Civil Defence Com-mission (CDC) and they were subsequently air dashed by the Coast Guard back to their refugee camp in Region One.

This newspaper was informed that a mother delivered twins on her way to Kabakaburi.

The Region Two administration continues to monitor the situation.