–$122M in financial support disbursed, housing, psychological, social support being provided

THE government remains committed to “long-term” and “structured” support to hundreds of people affected by the MV Barima tragedy, outlining a wide-ranging package that spans financial aid, housing, psychosocial care, education support and legal assistance.
According to the latest update from President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Heart Initiative remains the central coordinating mechanism for the national response, bringing together key stakeholders.
The secretariat, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepard, is now fully operational and has so far provided structured assistance to more than 750 affected persons including children, parents and grandparents, across Regions One to Ten.
On the financial side, the government has disbursed $122.35 million in assistance to families of deceased persons, survivors, and relatives of those still missing.
In addition, the Ministry of Housing has approved 20 families for land and turnkey homes valued at approximately $73.99 million, as part of what authorities describe as a long-term commitment to relocation and housing security for the most severely affected households.
He stressed that the State views the fallout from the disaster as a long-term responsibility, not a one-off relief exercise.
“Support for children, including going back to school, supporting their school needs, their educational needs, recovery of documentation, at GECOM, GRA, Guyana Police Force, legal assistance, probate, estate, guardianship, immigration, and documentation recovery. Because you know there were some non-Guyanese families.
“Livelihood recovery, spiritual and community support, partner support. The private sector is also part of this, so they are mobilising resources, and of course, support in family-oriented activities,” the President said.
The response also places significant emphasis on psychological and social support. Social workers and psychologists have been assigned to affected families, with Tier Three and Tier Four trauma interventions now active.
Special attention is being paid to children, including support for their return to school and the provision of educational assistance to help stabilise their learning environment after the tragedy.
“We also have the legal team that has commenced work collectively and then individually with families, advising them on their rights, and also talking to them about how long-term, immediate, and medium-term financial support, material support, can also be structured, especially where children are involved,” the President added.
More than 750 affected persons, including children, parents and grandparents across Guyana, are receiving structured assistance through the government’s HEART Initiative.
Meanwhile, a national registry of affected persons and the accompanying needs assessment are both 99 per cent complete.