Govt to strengthen long-term support for MV Barima victims’ families

President Dr Irfaan Ali has noted that his government is moving to strengthen its long-term support for families affected by the MV Barima tragedy, with assistance being coordinated across health, social services, legal, financial, and other areas.

President Ali made the disclosure during a press conference at the Office of the President, where he provided an update on the government’s response to the tragedy and efforts to salvage the vessel.

He noted that the government’s priority is to maintain close contact with all affected families, including those who lost loved ones, persons who remain missing, and families of workers who were on board the vessel. “Our priority for the government is just to ensure that we work closely with the families in relation to the MV Barima,” President Ali said.

He further stated that particular attention is being given to families with children, women and parents who may require additional support.

The president said the HEART initiative has been established as a long-term, multi-stakeholder forum to address the needs of affected families, not only in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy but over the short, medium and long term. “This is long-term support, looking at not the challenges for today and tomorrow, but the long-term challenges,” he said.

According to the president, support being coordinated through the initiative includes assistance with documentation and other legal matters, mental health and medical care, counselling, spiritual support and assistance for children.

He said consideration is also being given to establishing a special home for children who may have been affected by the tragedy. The initiative will also examine the material and financial needs of affected families. “They’re looking at social, emotional, mental, medical, family, everything, holistically,” President Ali said.

He added that an outreach plan is being developed to take support directly into the regions. Regional networks and hubs are being established to provide continued assistance to affected families, the president said.

President Ali also disclosed that he has been personally maintaining contact with several of the affected families.

Meanwhile, the government is advancing efforts to salvage the MV Barima. President Ali said the expression of interest process has closed, with several entities being shortlisted by the relevant agency. He said approximately 10 companies have submitted the EOI.

Those shortlisted entities will now be invited to submit prices for the salvage operation. “Those shortlisted entities will be invited to supply prices to have that vessel salvaged. So that is where we are with that,” the president said.