MV Barima Tragedy- GAW, ExxonMobil GSL donate $25M to support survivors, families affected

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), in association with the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), on Saturday handed over a $25 million donation for the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience, and Trust (HEART) Initiative, which was established to support survivors and families affected by the MV Barima tragedy.
The HEART Initiative, established by President Dr Irfaan Ali, is intended to help families through the process of healing by bringing together humanitarian assistance, psychosocial and trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance, and other forms of support for those affected.
Importantly, this assistance is not intended as compensation but as an expression of the nation’s enduring commitment to stand beside survivors and bereaved families for as long as necessary.
On Tuesday, President Ali announced that he would establish a national body to coordinate, mobilise, and foster the necessary work of healing.
This initiative will be overseen by trusted and respected religious and civil society individuals drawn from across Guyana.
“We will offer the practical hands of service and provide a safety net of support and compassion so that no family affected by this tragedy will slip through,” the President stated.
Ali expressed gratitude to the Guyanese people and called on all stakeholders to support the establishment of the HEART Initiative, which is aimed at assisting survivors of the MV Barima tragedy and the families of those affected.
The MV Barima disaster is one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime tragedies, involving a passenger and cargo ferry that capsized off the Essequibo Coast on July 18, 2026.
The donation was made due to an agreement between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that all proceeds from ticket sales for the final will be donated to educational and humanitarian relief efforts for families and individuals affected by the MV Barima tragedy.
As the curtains were pulled on the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League on Saturday, the cheque was handed over to the committee set up by President Ali at the National Stadium.