President Dr. Irfaan Ali has paid tribute to the hundreds of people who responded to the MV Barima tragedy, describing their efforts as acts of “quiet heroism” that helped bring hope and comfort amid one of Guyana’s darkest moments.
Speaking during a national prayer and remembrance service in Charity, Region Two, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali commended members of the Joint Services, healthcare workers, volunteers, fisherfolk, boat operators, regional officials and international partners for their unwavering commitment to the rescue and recovery operation.
He praised their dedication and sacrifice, describing their collective response as an extraordinary display of courage and compassion in the face of national tragedy.
“At this solemn hour, the grateful heart of our nation also turns to those whose extraordinary courage became the difference between life and death,” Dr. Ali said.
He singled out the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force and Guyana Coast Guard, as well as doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who have worked around the clock since the disaster unfolded.
The President also praised the fisherfolk and boat operators who immediately joined the search effort, along with volunteers and public servants who have supported affected families and emergency responders.
He said, “Our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers laboured tirelessly to comfort the injured and care for the afflicted. The volunteers whose compassion knew neither day nor night, our regional officials, public servants and government agencies, and the countless others whose names are too numerous to mention, but whose acts of kindness and selflessness have become part of the quiet heroism of this national response.”
Dr. Ali also thanked members of the religious community for offering hope and comfort to grieving families, as well as Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and regional officials who have remained on the ground since the tragedy.
Reflecting on the recovery operation, the President recounted witnessing rescue teams recover the victims with dignity and compassion.
“I stood there and watched every single body being recovered. I saw them lifting each one gently, reminding one another to be careful and to treat every victim with dignity. They carried every body through this process with great dignity,” he said.
He added that watching the recovery efforts reinforced his belief in the compassion and humanity of the Guyanese people.
“I saw with my eyes the unbelievable love that we have for each other.”
The Guyanese leader also expressed gratitude to Guyana’s international partners, including personnel from French Guiana, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and other CARICOM member states, who assisted or offered support following the sinking.
“We are equally grateful to our international partners who stood beside us and continue to stand beside us in this painful hour,” he said.
“We acknowledge with profound appreciation the personnel from French Guiana who responded with urgency and solidarity. I express my thanks to all of CARICOM, who have expressed not only their support, but remain on standby to support us. We also express our sincere gratitude to Brazil and to the many friendly states who have pledged their support and assistance.”
President Ali said the collective response demonstrated the country’s unity in the face of tragedy.
“Your friendship has reminded us that even in our deepest sorrow, Guyana does not stand alone,” the President said.
According to him, the extraordinary response by rescuers, volunteers and ordinary citizens showed that Guyanese stand together in times of unimaginable loss.
