Forty-two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers who spent months rebuilding communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica were welcomed home and honoured with medals at a ceremony held at Camp Base Ayanganna on Wednesday.
The contingent, comprising one officer and 41 other ranks, successfully rebuilt 200 roofs across five districts in Jamaica and provided additional humanitarian support to severely impacted communities during their deployment, which began in November 2025. Each soldier was awarded the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Medal an honour recognising acts of bravery, compassion, and selfless dedication to alleviating suffering and restoring stability in affected communities.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, personally presented the medals and delivered a stirring tribute to the returning soldiers.
“You went to Jamaica as soldiers, you return as heroes. These medals tell a story of courage, humanity, and selfless service. When Hurricane Melissa swung through our region, leaving destruction in Jamaica, it was not a distant tragedy. It was a Caribbean tragedy. Guyana responded because that is who we are,” President Ali said.
He made clear that Guyana’s response to the crisis was not a one-off gesture, pledging that the country will continue to stand with its Caribbean neighbours in times of disaster.
“Guyana will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Caribbean brothers and sisters when disaster strikes anywhere in our region,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Cranston France, Commanding Officer of the 4 Engineer Battalion, reflected on the magnitude of what his troops accomplished under demanding conditions.
“Reconstruction of 200 roofs across five districts, working in harsh conditions, facing uncertainty, yet delivering, restoring dignity, stability and hope that is what service looks like. Deployment was more than assistance, it was solidarity in motion,” he said.
Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan also paid tribute to the soldiers, emphasising that it was their boots-on-the-ground execution that made the mission a success.
“Resources do not move by themselves; it was you who operated, executed, and ensured that the objectives were achieved. Beyond that, you served as ambassadors of Guyana, demonstrating the country’s commitment to regional solidarity,” Brigadier Khan said.
The ranks deployed were experienced in disaster response, carpentry, and project management skills that proved critical in delivering reconstruction results that directly improved living conditions for Jamaican families still reeling from the hurricane’s destruction.
