The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Tuesday proudly welcomed home a 42-member contingent following their successful completion of an extended humanitarian mission on Union Island,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.
The team, comprising two officers and 40 ranks, was deployed as part of a regional emergency response led by the Government of Guyana under the directive of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Their efforts were focused on recovery and rebuilding operations in the aftermath of the devastating Category 4 storm.
Over the course of the mission, the GDF ranks carried out extensive rehabilitation works on Union Island, restoring more than 187 homes and undertaking critical repairs to roofs, windows, and doors. They also executed plumbing, electrical, and painting works, while playing a central role in the reconstruction of the Union Island Police Station and the rehabilitation of the Stephanie Brown Primary School, which served as their base throughout the deployment.
Upon their return, the contingent was celebrated at a formal welcome ceremony hosted at Base Camp Ayanganna, where they were met with high praise for their outstanding service. Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, commended the ranks for their exceptional professionalism, resilience, and steadfast commitment to regional service.
In a significant announcement during the ceremony, Brigadier Khan revealed the completion of designed and production of the GDF’s first-ever Humanitarian Service Medal. This honour, he stated, will be awarded to all members of the returning contingent in recognition of their distinguished contribution to regional relief efforts. He further confirmed that the award will also extend to ranks who participated in previous humanitarian operations, including the mission to Grenada.
The contingent’s return, just days after the observance of CARICOM Day, serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of regional solidarity in times of adversity. The mission not only reflects Guyana’s enduring commitment to the ideals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but also reaffirms the GDF’s preparedness, leadership, and growing role in regional disaster response and humanitarian relief.
