President pledges long-term support for MV Barima survivors and bereaved families

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday pledged long-term financial, psychological and social support for survivors of the MV Barima disaster and the families of those who died, saying its responsibility would extend well beyond the search and recovery operation.

In a message to the National Assembly, delivered by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, President Irfaan Ali said the government remained committed to helping those affected rebuild their lives following the country’s worst maritime tragedy in decades.

“The Government remains fully committed to providing sustained material, financial, psychological and emotional support to the families of those who perished and to those who survived,” Dr Ali said. “Our responsibility to these families does not end with the recovery operation. It will continue for as long as necessary.”

The President said the government has established the HEART Initiative, a programme intended to provide humanitarian assistance to survivors and bereaved families through psychosocial support, trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other interventions to aid their recovery.

He earlier announced that former Belize Attorney General and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay, had been invited to help develop the framework for financial assistance to survivors and families of victims. Ali stressed that any financial support “should in no way be viewed as compensation.”

Addressing survivors directly, the President acknowledged the emotional toll of the disaster.

“To those who survived this horrific ordeal, we know that survival itself carries its own burden. The memories of that dreadful night may remain with you for years to come. You are not alone. Your country stands beside you,” he said.

He also appealed to families still awaiting news of missing relatives, promising that authorities would continue recovery efforts.

“I give this Parliament and the nation my solemn assurance that we shall not rest until every possible effort has been exhausted to account for every passenger who was aboard that vessel,” Ali said.

The President used the address to thank members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, regional authorities, volunteers and, in particular, fisherfolk, many of whom were among the first to respond after the vessel capsized in rough seas.

He also acknowledged assistance from France, through the armed forces of French Guiana, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, other CARICOM countries and international partners that supported the search and recovery effort.

Ali said the national response had demonstrated the resilience and compassion of Guyanese, pointing to the prayers, vigils and acts of solidarity that followed the disaster.

The MV Barima capsized and sank off Guyana’s coast on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to the North West District, leaving dozens dead and prompting an ongoing recovery operation and a government-ordered international Commission of Inquiry into the disaster.