WIN launches relief drive for MV Barima families

-attorneys warn about signing of settlements

The families of those who died and survived the MV Barima tragedy were urged yesterday to remain vigilant, demand compensation from the government and avoid signing any documents without first obtaining legal advice, as the We Invest in the Nationhood (WIN) party launched a humanitarian initiative called HERO to support those affected by the disaster.

HERO (Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operation) was launched at the Houston residence of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, with families of victims and survivors in attendance. 

Lawyer and accountant Christopher Ram reminded the families that the government has a responsibility to provide financial relief to those who suffered losses as a result of the tragedy. He urged families to organise themselves and put their demands to the government, arguing that they should not accept inadequate offers. “At the absolute minimum, we should have an interim relief. That is an absolute must,” Ram said.

He warned families that they could be approached by persons seeking to settle claims for relatively small amounts. “They will send people to cajole you into taking puny amounts. Take the money but sign nothing,” he advised, urging families to have any documents read and explained to them before signing.

Ram also questioned the status of the Amerindian Fund and whether it had ever been audited, asking why those resources were not being used to assist affected families. He urged the families to get themselves in a group and set up a framework with their demands. “Put your demands to government. It’s your right as citizens. You’ve suffered losses,” Ram said.

He further suggested that families should seek at least $20 million as an initial demand for relief.

Meanwhile, attorney Damien Da Silva also cautioned the families to be careful when dealing with any offers of compensation or assistance. “Be vigilant and careful with any offers. Don’t sign anything,” Da Silva said, stressing the importance of protecting their legal rights.

The legal support is being offered free of charge by Ram, Da Silva and other attorney Siand Dhurjan as part of the HERO initiative.

Mohamed told the families that the initiative was intended to ensure they were not sidelined following the tragedy. “You must get some sort of justice. My purpose is to ensure that this administration doesn’t sideline you,” he shared. 

He also questioned the continued delay in salvaging or floating the MV Barima. “There was no urgency in floating the vessel. How long more must we wait?” he asked. “For the longest journey, they gave us the oldest vessel,” he observed. 

He said the families would have an opportunity to speak directly with the lawyers about their rights and possible legal action.

HERO is designed around four principles: humanitarian assistance that places the dignity and well-being of affected persons first; emergency intervention in response to the crisis; relief through psychological, legal and practical support; and outreach that takes assistance directly to affected families and communities.

WIN MP Natasha Singh-Lewis described HERO as an initiative born out of Mohamed’s humility and humanitarian efforts and said it was intended to provide structured psychosocial assistance to those affected.

She criticised the pace of the government’s response, questioning why families should have to wait for the Commission of Inquiry to conclude before obtaining answers about what happened to their loved ones.

Singh-Lewis also questioned why emergency assistance appeared to be constrained by procurement processes, noting that HERO was intended to establish a more structured approach to emergency response.

WIN MP Nandranie Singh said the party’s donation drive had raised more than $20 million from local and overseas donors and had so far assisted 65 families affected by the MV Barima tragedy. The initiative initially began as a one-month donation drive but has since been extended to September 6 because of the response, she said.

Other WIN PM Odessa Primus said the organisation was creating a forum for families of the tragedy and described HERO as an initiative that would also be activated was there to be a similar tragedy.

Primus said the initiative was not intended to focus on politics but on providing assistance to people affected by crises. She accused the government of wanting to move on from the MV Barima tragedy, arguing that President Irfaan Ali had not mentioned the disaster at his most recent press conference until he was questioned about it.

Meanwhile, former government minister and WIN figure Dawn Hastings-Williams called for the removal of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Ministry of Public Works officials involved in the response, drawing loud applause from those gathered.

She also criticised the manner in which some of the deceased were reportedly handled and buried. “Burying people in plywood boxes and with an excavator. Where is the dignity?” she asked.

The MV Barima tragedy left at least 73 persons dead after the vessel capsized off Guyana’s coast while travelling to Port Kaitumalast July 18. 

The government has since established a Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy, while questions remain over the timing of the investigation, the salvaging of the vessel and the provision of interim assistance to affected families.