Guyana dump affects residents

In Georgetown Guyana residents said thick black smoke from a dump, which is covering parts of the city, is causing rashes on their skins and affecting their breathing.



Some complain of fever, headaches, dry coughs and irritation to the eyes.



An official of the Georgetown Municipality, who asked not to be identified, said residents near the dump should be relocated as a matter of urgency.



Health officials said they are fine-tuning a comprehensive strategy to deal with the problem.



The Guyana Human Rights Association and the Guyana Citizens Initiative have warned of a major public health catastrophe if the site is not dealt with immediately.