THE government has announced a comprehensive financial support package for the families affected by the devastating fire at the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has affirmed the government’s commitment to assist the victims and their families during this challenging time.

According to a statement released by the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Monday, the government has been proactive in extending various forms of aid to those affected by the tragedy.
The support includes medical treatment, transportation, accommodation, coverage of funeral expenses, replacement of personal belongings, and psychosocial assistance, including counselling.
The government’s decision to offer financial assistance to the families was in direct response to their expressed needs.

The statement noted: “Many family members requested cash which they could use to make purchases that would enhance their ability to continue to provide for their families.”

To ensure transparency and accountability, the government requested that the families sign an agreement after receiving independent legal advice. These agreements also acknowledged the government’s commitment to providing ongoing support as necessary.

“All the affected families engaged have signed agreements,” the press statement outlined, highlighting the families’ cooperation and the progress made in the distribution of financial aid.
The government emphasised its intention to continue supporting the affected families through various means, such as helping them cope with and recover from the tragedy. A full report of all expenditures related to this tragedy will be made public to ensure transparency, and proper use of public funds.

In addition to the immediate relief efforts, the government remains committed to establishing a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to thoroughly investigate the incident. The Commission will review all facts and circumstances surrounding the fire, in accordance with its Terms of Reference.

Contrary to speculation going the rounds, the government has clarified that its ongoing assistance to the victims and their families does not impede the mandate of the intended CoI.
“The Government’s pledge to continue to offer assistance to the victims and their families in no way affects the mandate of this intended CoI,” the Attorney-General’s Chambers affirmed.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers is urging all parties to treat the issue with the seriousness and dignity it deserves.

“The government hopes that the wishes and welfare of the victims of this tragedy are neither exploited nor politicised, and expects that this issue will be accorded the solemnity and dignity which it rightly deserves,” the statement noted.

On May 22, the country was plunged into mourning after a fire, which the authorities have since determined was maliciously set, ravaged a secondary school’s girls’ dormitory in Mahdia.
At the time of the fire, 56 of the girls were present, as three had gone home to their families for the weekend.

The children housed at the ‘dorms’ came from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie, and Chenapao.

Initially, 18 girls from the ‘dorm’ and a five-year-old boy, who was the son of the ‘Dorm Mother’, perished in the fire, but a 19th student who was injured in the fire, passed away a few days later.
Several of the survivors were airlifted to the capital city for emergency care. One critically injured girl was since medevacked to a New York health facility for further treatment, and is said to be recovering well.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old student has been remanded to a juvenile facility on 20 counts of murder.