HGP Nightly News – Families devastated by the MV Barima tragedy were urged not to sign financial-assistance agreements or other legal documents without independent advice as attorneys, psychologists and financial professionals offered free support through a new opposition-led relief programme.
The warning came during Thursday evening’s launch of the Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operation, or H.E.R.O., by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and several WIN parliamentarians attended the gathering, which was chaired by MP Odessa Primus.
Organisers said the programme will connect affected families with professionals offering practical assistance, legal representation, psychological care and longer-term support.
Attorneys Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson, Roysdale Forde S.C., Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva were among those pledging pro bono legal assistance.
Da Silva advised relatives to obtain independent guidance before accepting money or entering any agreement connected to the disaster.
The warning did not establish that the government has asked MV Barima families to waive their legal rights. President Irfaan Ali has said assistance provided through the government’s HEART Initiative is not compensation.
However, opposition representatives have called for the publication of all terms and agreements governing that assistance so families can understand any possible legal consequences before signing.
Economist, chartered accountant and attorney Christopher Ram also pledged his services without charge.
Ram questioned why emergency funding had not already been released to affected households and argued that interim support should not depend on the completion of the Commission of Inquiry.
“Where is the emergency fund? Where is the national relief? Where is the Parliamentary Relief Committee working towards compensation?” Ram asked.
He also questioned whether funds intended to provide relief to Indigenous communities had been activated.
The government has said affected households are being assessed individually, particularly where a family lost its sole breadwinner. It has also announced social, psychological, medical, legal and material assistance under HEART.
The gathering heard emotional appeals from relatives whose loved ones remain missing more than a month after the tragedy.
Several pleaded for the sunken MV Barima to be salvaged in the hope that human remains could be recovered and returned for burial.
“Even if it’s just their bones,” one grieving relative said through tears.
The government has invited expressions of interest from companies capable of raising the vessel and is evaluating the submissions. No contractor or starting date for the salvage operation has yet been announced.
Psychologist Dr Telford Layne pledged free counselling to families dealing with grief and trauma.
WIN MP Dawn Hastings-Williams criticised what she described as the treatment of Indigenous families affected by the tragedy and called for greater sensitivity and sustained support.
The government has separately announced EMBRACE, an online platform intended to connect survivors and relatives with local and diaspora-based counsellors through confidential audio and video sessions.
MP Nandranie Singh reported that the MV Barima Donation Drive, organised by the Opposition Leader’s Office in collaboration with WIN and its New York chapter, had raised almost G$22 million.
No detailed accounting of the contributions or distributions was presented in the information provided.
Closing the event, Mohamed appealed directly to Ali to provide families with immediate temporary financial assistance of at least G$5 million.
“Have a heart for the people,” the Opposition Leader urged.
Mohamed did not outline the proposed eligibility rules, total cost or whether the payment should go to every affected household, each survivor or every family that lost a relative.
The evening ended with the lighting of candles and a minute of silence for those who died.
Organisers said H.E.R.O. would continue operating in the weeks and months ahead, bringing together lawyers, mental-health professionals, social workers and financial specialists to help families seeking relief, closure, accountability and justice.
