President Irfaan Ali has appointed a five-person commission to enquire into what caused the MV Barima tragedy, with attention understandably focused on what went wrong. There are myriad questions that must be answered thoroughly and transparently. The families of the victims, the survivors and in fact the entire nation deserve nothing less.
But while blame must be assigned where warranted, credit must also be given where it is richly deserved. As focus turns to the search for accountability, there are other stories that have not yet been fully told or examined. They speak to community and heroism, the courage of ordinary Guyanese and place a spotlight on opportunities to strengthen this country’s emergency response.
Before official rescue operations were fully underway in the wake of the tragedy, fishermen from nearby communities responded instinctively. They headed out in their boats, unasked, and perhaps at considerable personal risk, to offer assistance. They pulled frightened survivors from the sea, helped in the recovery efforts and, through their intimate knowledge of the waterways, became an indispensable part of the operation. They were not instructed to act and thus far have received little public recognition. They simply did what they believed had to be done.
This is not an unfamiliar story in this country. Community spirit has repeatedly come to the fore during fires, vehicular crashes or other crises. More often than not, the man in the street is the first to respond. A case in point is the Great Flood of 2005.
The courage of the ordinary citizen is commendable. However, it also raises the uncomfortable question that perhaps the powers that be have become dependent on these spontaneous acts of heroism and look to them to compensate for shortcomings in organised emergency preparedness.
Communities along Guyana’s rivers and coast possess a wealth of practical knowledge. These residents, whether they be fishermen or farmers, understand the tides, currents, weather patterns and hidden hazards. Those who are boat operators know the channels that larger vessels must avoid.
It is also a fact that our Indigenous people have navigated many of these waterways for generations. Their knowledge, passed down through the ages, could significantly strengthen national search-and-rescue efforts if properly recognised and supported.
This is done in many countries the world over; there are volunteer emergency networks that complement official agencies without replacing them. Community members contribute their knowledge and receive basic training in first aid, water rescue, emergency communications and coordination procedures. They are equipped with essential safety gear and are called upon when disasters occur; in some places they also receive a stipend. Such programmes acknowledge the simple reality that in remote areas, local people are usually closer to an emergency and can make the difference between life and death during those critical first minutes.
Guyana would do well to consider a similar approach. This is not a call to shift responsibility away from the state. The government must continue investing in professional emergency services, maritime safety and modern rescue capabilities. However, it must also recognise the advantages to be gained when official institutions and communities work together.
Then there is another dimension to this tragedy that should not be overlooked. Those boat operators and fishermen who responded, like the survivors they rescued, would have also been affected by the trauma. Saving terrified people, including children, pulling bodies from the water, searching for the missing and witnessing profound human suffering will no doubt leave psychological scars that remain long after public attention has shifted elsewhere.
Heroism does not render a person immune from emotional distress. First responders around the world, whether they are professional firefighters, police officers or volunteers, experience psychological effects after responding to major disasters. There is no reason to believe Guyanese are any different.
In Guyana, mental health support is generally concentrated in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy. Counselling, where available, is often short term, while the affected continue to struggle with recurring anxiety, nightmares and depression long after the headlines have faded. The truth is that healing from traumatic experiences frequently requires months, and sometimes years, of support from trained professionals, family members and communities. Therefore, there has to be a broader conversation around helping survivors, rescuers and affected communities recover with compassion and sustained care.
Credit is due to the ordinary citizens who responded because it was the right thing to do. It is high time that this country puts in place practical policies that harness local knowledge, improve emergency preparedness and ensure that volunteers are trained, equipped and supported. One of the many lessons of the MV Barima tragedy is that community spirit and basic humanity remain among this country’s greatest strengths. In moments of profound crisis, courage and compassion continue to triumph over the divisions that too often dominate public life.
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