Caricom Heads of Government are working collectively to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela and Cuba.Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also disclosed yesterday that a ferry carrying relief supplies will depart Trinidad for Venezuela.Caricom leaders spoke on the issue during the closing news conference following the conclusion of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, in St Lucia.Persad-Bissessar noted that Vene­zuela was seven miles away from Trinidad and that “whatever happens in Venezuela impacts what happens in Trinidad and ­Tobago”.She disclosed that she, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and ­other regional leaders held a lengthy discussion on Tuesday night about the issue.She said when the earthquakes occurred in Venezuela, Caricom members immediately took steps to lend assistance. Thereafter, she said, regional governments coordinated efforts to send supplies and personnel to Venezuela.“Indeed, tonight, when I go home, we’ll be sending off an entire ferry, going off to Venezuela loaded with supplies for the people of Venezuela,” she said.She noted that Guyana and Barbados had done the same.Mottley added that 88 containers from the majority of Caricom member states were being transported on a vessel coordinated by Guyana.She said Barbados, through the Regional Security System (RSS), had deployed personnel within 48 to 72 hours of the earthquakes to assist with rescue efforts.Mottley said Barbados has sent a certified field hospital which was previously deployed to Jamaica ­after Hurricane Melissa.“We’re now deploying it to Venezuela because clearly, with the level of injuries and the pressure on the medical system, this is going to be one of the major ­areas which the Venezuelan people need,” she said.Mottley said they have been in contact with the Venezuelan President “and will continue to be so, because, as we said, there but for the grace of God goes any of us, and we believe that we have a responsibility morally to help the people of Venezuela”.Help for Cuba Mottley also noted that the region has been working to provide assistance to Cuba.She said in Barbados’ case, efforts to send money for the purchase of baby milk had been ­unsuccessful, with the funds being returned twice.She said they recognised that the matter would be a complex issue.“But we want to remain focused on the humanitarian efforts, and we want to remain focused on the dialogue that should continue to take place for the resolution of this matter.“And Caricom will always be ready, and has told both the Ameri­cans and the Cubans that we are more than ready to be there to help facilitate this dialogue. Because when you live in a ­neighbourhood, what happens in the neighbourhood affects ­everyone,” she said.Mottley pointed out that the neighbourhood stretches from Florida in the north to Guyana and Suriname in the south.Caricom chairman Philip J Pierre said members discussed establishing a fund for humanitarian relief.“And I am happy to report, Prime Minister, I just got the ­update that you mentioned, the money was returned three times, but I can say it has now been accepted on the fourth time and so we are now expecting to deliver the first batch of baby milk,” he said.