Guyana says support continues for families of MV Barima victims as salvage efforts advance
Key Points(5)
- The Guyanese government said Tuesday that it is continuing to work closely with families of victims of the MV Barima tragedy as efforts move forward to salvage the vessel, which sank July 18, killing 73 people and leaving at least 30 others missing and feared dead.
- President Irfaan Ali said supporting the families of those killed and those still missing remains the government’s priority.
- “The priority for the government is to ensure that we work closely with the families in relation to the MV Barima,” Ali told reporters at a news conference.
- The initiative involves the Ministries of Health and Human Services and will provide legal, mental health, medical, counseling and spiritual support, as well as assistance for children, Ali said.
- Authorities have also established a legal mechanism to help families address challenges involving documentation and the classification of victims.
The Guyanese government said Tuesday that it is continuing to work closely with families of victims of the MV Barima tragedy as efforts move forward to salvage the vessel, which sank July 18, killing 73 people and leaving at least 30 others missing and feared dead.
President Irfaan Ali said supporting the families of those killed and those still missing remains the government’s priority.
“The priority for the government is to ensure that we work closely with the families in relation to the MV Barima,” Ali told reporters at a news conference. “And when I say families here, I’m not only speaking of families who would have lost loved ones, families here where persons are still missing.”
He said the government has established the Heart Initiative, a long-term, multi-stakeholder forum aimed at addressing the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of families affected by the tragedy.
The initiative involves the Ministries of Health and Human Services and will provide legal, mental health, medical, counseling and spiritual support, as well as assistance for children, Ali said.
Authorities have also established a legal mechanism to help families address challenges involving documentation and the classification of victims.
“We are also working, for example, to see if there is a need to establish a special home for children who might have been affected,” Ali said.
He said the initiative would focus not only on the immediate aftermath of the disaster but also on the longer-term material and financial needs of affected families.
The government is also developing a regional network and support hubs to provide assistance to families, Ali said.
The MV Barima, a state-owned passenger ferry, capsized and sank off Guyana’s Atlantic coast near the Pomeroon River on July 18 while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The disaster is the deadliest maritime incident in Guyana’s history.
The vessel was carrying an estimated 179 passengers and crew when it sank. In the aftermath, the vessel’s captain, chief mate and a Transport and Harbours Department goods superintendent were charged with murder.
Salvage efforts
Authorities are also moving ahead with plans to recover the sunken vessel.
Ali said the deadline for expressions of interest from companies seeking to salvage the MV Barima closed Friday, with several proposals submitted.
The submissions are now being shortlisted, after which selected companies will be invited to submit pricing for the salvage operation, he said.
“I don’t have the exact number. I think it’s 10 or more. Don’t hold me to that,” Ali said.
He said the selection process is based on established criteria and that the government would determine which companies move forward after the shortlisting process.
Commission of Inquiry
Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry into the disaster is finalizing preparations ahead of public hearings.
Ali said the commission has been established and its members have begun setting procedures and developing a work plan. He said the actual work on the ground is expected to begin in early September.
“The work of the COI is the work that I will base my action on when their recommendation comes to me,” Ali said.
He said the government must respect the commission’s independence and allow it to complete its work before decisions are made based on its findings.
“I think having established the COI independently, we have to have respect for the work of the COI,” Ali said.
Ali also dismissed calls for several Cabinet ministers to be removed over the tragedy, indicating that his decisions would be guided by the commission’s findings and recommendations.
