Emergency response facilities to become operational in Lethem, Mahdia, Georgetown

Emergency response facilities will be established in Lethem, Mahdia, and Georgetown, and will become fully operational this year as Guyana systematically strengthens its disaster preparedness and management capabilities.

This is according to Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who highlighted the government’s ongoing investments in resilience and disaster risk management.

Prime Minister Phillips emphasised that these facilities will enhance the country’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies.

The Prime Minister made the announcement on Tuesday while delivering remarks at the launch of the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM14) at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown.

He stated, “This year, new emergency response facilities at Lethem and Mahdia, as well as the multipurpose buildings in Georgetown, will be brought into operation.”

Just last year, a state-of-the-art complex, valued at $97.8 million, was commissioned to enhance logistical and coordination capabilities, ensuring that emergency supplies are properly maintained and swiftly deployed in times of crisis, and national capacity for preparedness and response.

The programme is supported through the 2026 National Budget, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, and the CDC’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030.

The conference will be held from December 7 to 12, 2026. [DPI]