THE steering committee of the HEART initiative introduced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in response to the MV Barima tragedy, on Wednesday, met to provide an update on the work being done since it’s establishment on July 31, 2026.
The HEART initiative – Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust- was created to ensure that assistance is provided to families, communities and individuals affected by the MV Barima tragedy that claimed the lives of dozens of persons on July 18, 2026.
Amongst the beneficiaries of these interventions thus far are relatives of the deceased, crew members, and their families, survivors and all of the children affected by the tragedy.
In keeping with its mandate, the initiative’s committee will be visiting all affected families and communities in the coming days and weeks. Additionally, there will be continued collaboration with the wider Guyanese community, private sector, religious bodies, humanitarian bodies, and international agencies.
Furthermore, a coordinating secretariat under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd of the Guyana Defence Force has been established with oversight from Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and her ministry.
Alongside mental support, the HEART initiative is also providing spiritual and religious support, children’s wellbeing and welfare assistance including education, developing a parent and family support network for the families and communities affected by the MV Barima tragedy.
The initiative also established Regional Units to deliver sustained and long-term psychological, social, and religious support.
Moreover, the Office of the First Lady is expected to complement support to children under the initiative.
Through its structure and coordinating mechanisms, the HEART Initiative ensures that the psychotherapy, grief counselling, and humanitarian, financial and other support to families and individuals in the affected communities have been provided by government agencies. This includes the ministries of Human Services and Social Security, Health, Education and other bodies including the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers and University of Guyana from the onset of the MV Barima be sustained, strengthened and expanded to cater comprehensively for each family and survivor.
