In an act of support to the affected families, the Government of Suriname has established an emergency fund of SRD 500,000 for the relatives of the victims of the crashed boat at Tapoekoe-Bamboesi (Marowijne district). Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk personally visited the village of Bamboesi on Wednesday June 4 to support the community and express his condolences.
During his visit, Brunswijk spoke words of consolation and signed the book of condolence for the passengers who perished. The fatalities included children, once again illustrating the poignant scale of the disaster.
The funds released are the first phase of a broader aid program the government is preparing. "This amount cannot undo the loss, but it shows that we as a society have a collective responsibility to assist the families," the vice president said.
The boat crash took place last Sunday night and led to widespread mourning throughout the country. In tribute, the government declared June 4 as National Mourning Day. National flags hung at half-mast and memorial services were held at various locations.
Ministries and local authorities, working closely with relief organizations, continue to assess the needs of the bereaved. Further measures, including long-term psychosocial counseling and infrastructure support, will be announced in the coming days once the needs in the affected community are clear.
