CONFERRED WITH HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RESPONSE MEDALS
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) formally honoured and welcomed home ranks who recently returned from deployment in Jamaica during a medal decoration ceremony held at Base Camp Ayanganna on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The event underscored the Force’s expanding role in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, while reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to regional solidarity and collective resilience.
During the ceremony, President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, personally decorated the ranks with the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Medal, recognising their distinguished service during reconstruction efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The contingent, comprising one Officer and forty-one Other Ranks, was deployed for a period of one hundred and fourteen days to severely affected communities in Jamaica. During this time, they undertook extensive rebuilding works, including the repair and restoration of over two hundred residential roofs, delivering immediate and meaningful relief to affected families and contributing to the restoration of stability within those communities.
In his feature address, the President positioned the mission as a clear expression of Guyana’s national character, emphasising that the country’s strength is reflected not only in defence of its borders, but in its willingness to support others in times of need. He underscored that Guyana’s response was grounded in a deep sense of regional responsibility, noting that Caribbean states are bound by shared ties and must act collectively when crises arise.
He further highlighted that such engagements form part of a sustained national approach, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to standing alongside its regional partners. In doing so, he drew attention to the increasing impact of climate change across the Caribbean and stressed the importance of preparedness, environmental stewardship, and continued investment in response capabilities.
Central to his address was recognition of the ranks, whose service extended beyond reconstruction to restoring dignity and hope within affected communities. Their conduct, he noted, reflected the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and humanity, while reinforcing Guyana’s reputation as a reliable and compassionate regional partner.
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, provided operational context to the mission, noting that the deployment, initiated under the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, evolved from an immediate relief effort into a structured and sustained reconstruction operation.
He highlighted that, through coordinated engagement between the Guyana Defence Force, the Civil Defence Commission, and the Private Sector Commission, the mission successfully delivered the rehabilitation of two hundred homes for vulnerable families, demonstrating the effectiveness of a unified national response.
Emphasising the contribution of the ranks, Brigadier Khan noted that the success of the mission was driven by those directly engaged in the field, stating that “the true success of this operation rests with our soldiers on the ground.” He added that their discipline, technical skill, and commitment transformed resources into tangible results, restoring not only homes, but dignity and hope within affected communities.
He also acknowledged the critical support of regional partners, including the Jamaica Defence Force under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, whose cooperation and coordination contributed significantly to the success of the mission.
Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussein, highlighted the strength of the civil-military partnership, noting that the success of the mission reflected a shared commitment to preparedness, coordination, and service. He reaffirmed Guyana’s continued engagement within regional disaster management frameworks and emphasised the importance of strengthening civil-military collaboration, including through structured training and enhanced disaster response mechanisms.
He also identified detailed operational documentation as a key outcome of the mission, noting that comprehensive written and photographic records will support institutional learning and improve future response planning.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Mr Gerald Gouveia Jr, underscored the critical role of private sector support in sustaining operations of this scale, noting that coordinated contributions of goods, services, and logistics ensured the effective delivery of resources throughout the mission.
Further reinforcing this perspective, Private Sector Commission Executive Member and former Chairman, Mr Komal Singh, drew on extensive experience in regional disaster response to commend the Guyana Defence Force for its consistent professionalism and operational discipline. He emphasised that sustained collaboration between national agencies and the private sector remains essential to delivering timely and effective responses, noting that such partnerships continue to strengthen Guyana’s ability to respond decisively across the region.
Providing a direct operational perspective, Contingent Commander, Captain (Coast Guard) Vernon Burnett, outlined the scope and impact of the deployment, noting that the mission was executed through coordinated planning, engineering expertise, and sustained field operations. He highlighted the contribution of supporting agencies and regional partners, including the Jamaica Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, whose collaboration enabled consistent operational effectiveness.
He further noted that the deployment provided valuable experience in multi-agency and multinational operations, enhancing the adaptability, technical proficiency, and readiness of the Force to respond to future contingencies both nationally and regionally.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were National Security Advisor Mr Gerald Gouveia, A.A; Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency Colonel Sheldon Howell, MSM; Colonel General Staff Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, MSM; members of the Force’s Central Management Committee and Branch Heads; Officers and Other Ranks; special invitees; and relatives of the contingent.
Through their service in Jamaica, the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force have reinforced the nation’s standing as a responsive and dependable partner within the Caribbean. Their actions stand as a testament to discipline, professionalism, and humanitarian commitment, reflecting the enduring values of service and solidarity that define the Force.
The ceremony also served as a formal welcome home, as the ranks were recognised and thanked for their service, dedication, and sacrifice in executing this mission. Their successful return marks not only the completion of a critical regional engagement, but the continued readiness of the Force to respond wherever duty requires.
