The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) continued to advance its constitutional mandate  throughout July 2026 to promote harmony, mutual respect and good relations among Guyana’s  diverse peoples through a range of public education, stakeholder engagement, media monitoring  and investigative activities. The month was marked by the Commission’s response to the MV  Barima Tragedy, a moment of profound national grief that called upon the Commission’s role as  an institution that stands with all Guyanese, across every community, in times of shared loss.

Following the tragic sinking of the MV Barima, the Commission issued a statement of solidarity  on July 19, 2026, as search and rescue efforts were still underway, signaling its readiness to provide  support to those affected.

On July 22, 2026, a team, of Commissioners and staff, led by Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack,  was deployed to Region Two, to provide support to the grieving families that had gathered. The  Commission’s presence stood in solidarity with the families and communities affected.