Guyana government provides support to families after MV Barima capsizing
Minister of Education Sonia Parag engaging with grieving families
Key Points(5)
- Government ministers in Guyana are continuing to provide support to families affected by the capsizing of the MV Barima , as search and rescue operations remain underway.
- Officials have been meeting with relatives of passengers and crew members at the Umana Yana in Georgetown , as well as at support centres established at the Port Kaituma Community Centre and the NAREI Extension Centre in Kumaka, Region One .
- The meetings are aimed at providing families with verified updates, addressing concerns and ensuring they have access to necessary assistance during the ongoing emergency.
- Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy said the government remains committed to supporting those affected and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.
- “This is why we govern, for people.
Government ministers in Guyana are continuing to provide support to families affected by the capsizing of the MV Barima, as search and rescue operations remain underway.
Officials have been meeting with relatives of passengers and crew members at the Umana Yana in Georgetown, as well as at support centres established at the Port Kaituma Community Centre and the NAREI Extension Centre in Kumaka, Region One.
The meetings are aimed at providing families with verified updates, addressing concerns and ensuring they have access to necessary assistance during the ongoing emergency.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy said the government remains committed to supporting those affected and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.
“This is why we govern, for people. We are here to support at every level,” McCoy said in a video update, encouraging families and the wider public to follow official channels as the search and rescue mission continues.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud said social workers have been deployed to provide ongoing psychosocial support to relatives of those aboard the vessel.
“We know that this is tough for you. We want you to know that we are with you in this. Social workers have been sent in and they will be there with you throughout it,” she said.
Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond said the government has mobilised all available resources to assist families and support the rescue operation.
“We are deploying all of government’s resources to assist you. We are still continuing the search and rescue and remain hopeful,” Walrond said.
Other officials engaging with families include Education Minister Sonia Parag, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues, and Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek, along with other government representatives.
The MV Barima capsized Saturday evening while travelling to Port Kaituma in the Barima-Waini region with 116 passengers and 17 crew members aboard. Authorities have so far confirmed that 67 people, including 15 children, have been rescued, while search efforts continue.
The government said it will continue providing updates and assistance to affected families as authorities work to account for everyone who was aboard the vessel.
