THE government is developing a comprehensive, long-term support strategy for survivors and families affected by the MV Barima tragedy, with assistance extending beyond immediate emergency response to include psychosocial services and coordinated support across multiple agencies.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, provided the update during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal.

Dr Persaud said the government had drawn lessons from previous national tragedies and recognised that recovery would require a coordinated approach involving multiple ministries and levels of leadership.

“As you can see, the president is leading the first level of support himself for immediate attention,” the minister said.

She noted that ministries have already been working to establish coordinated systems and protocols for psychosocial support.

She explained that her ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to strengthen grief and trauma-focused counselling within schools.

The initiative builds on a programme previously developed by the University of Guyana following the Mahdia tragedy, which trained key personnel in grief and trauma counselling.

According to the minister, some of those counsellors have already been deployed.

She reported at the Conference that the programme will now be expanded to support affected families, communities and schoolchildren.

The government is also seeking assistance from organisations, including the International Red Cross, to strengthen its response capacity.

Beyond direct psychosocial services, the government is developing a broader strategy for families and communities, including establishing hotlines where persons can receive emotional support and be referred to the appropriate agencies for additional assistance. (DPI)