We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Natasha Singh has raised fresh concerns over the plight of survivors and bereaved families of the MV Barima tragedy, following several days of visits to communities across Region One, where she said families continue to struggle with illness, grief and unmet needs weeks after the disaster.
Singh said her visit took her to Port Kaituma and satellite communities around Mabaruma, including Kumaka, Wauna, Hosororo, White Water and Arakuru, with the primary objective of checking on survivors and relatives of victims and providing school supplies to families with school-aged children.
She said the assistance was made possible through the support of Amabel Clement of New Jersey, USA.
Describing the visit as emotionally difficult, Singh said she heard troubling accounts from survivors and relatives about the absence of sustained government assistance, including health and psychosocial support.
“It was an emotionally challenging few days as I listened to survivors talk about enduring lung infection and no help from the Ministry of health as they have to stand all the expenses and ensure the pain alone to mothers crying waiting for closure because their little babies were not found and no psychosocial support from Human Services.”
Singh said one family in White Water told her that a doctor had visited their mother while the family was mourning the death of a brother.
She also reported that survivors told her they had received $50,000 each from the Government since July 19, with some also receiving a food hamper, but that further assistance promised to them had yet to materialise.
“Survivors shared that since the 19th of July, 2026 they received $50,000.00 (some also got one food hamper) each from the government and many promises but nothing came through until now.”
The claims come against the backdrop of the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it went down off Guyana’s northwestern coast.
The disaster resulted in a major loss of life and left communities in Region One confronting grief, missing relatives and the longer-term consequences of the tragedy. A Commission of Inquiry has been established to examine the circumstances surrounding the sinking, while the Government has also moved to secure a contractor to salvage the wreck.
For families still waiting for answers about missing loved ones, however, the recovery and investigation are only part of the challenge. Singh’s account highlights concerns about the health, emotional and economic burdens being carried by survivors and bereaved households.
The MP said the MV Barima families are among several communities she encountered facing serious difficulties that she intends to address in greater detail.
“In another post I will discuss in details”
She said those issues include “The help needed for the affected families of MV Barima”, as well as what she described as the “horrible condition” of the road to Arakuru.
Singh also identified the reported lack of GWI water in Kumaka for more than six years, conditions at the hostel, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, victimisation, alleged abuse of the Public Assistance Programme and youth unemployment among the issues requiring attention.
The concerns add another layer to the growing national debate over the Government’s response to the MV Barima tragedy. While financial assistance has been provided and official investigations are underway, questions continue to be raised about whether affected families are receiving adequate medical care, psychosocial support and sustained assistance to rebuild their lives.
Singh’s visit also brings the voices of hinterland families into that debate, particularly those living in communities where access to health and social services can be more difficult.
