Over 10,000 persons have been evacuated from the red zone in St Vincent and the Grenadines where the erupting La Soufriere volcano has created havoc and CARICOM Heads of Government heard yesterday that the situation could be a prolonged one.
Heads of Government met in Special Emergency session to discuss the situation in St Vincent.
A release from CARICOM yesterday said that Heads committed to continue providing extensive support and pledged solidarity with St Vincent as it strives to cope with the disaster. The volcano erupted on Friday 9 April and has been spewing ash and pyroclastic flows.
Heads of Government were told that the situation would be prolonged given the level of uncertainty in relation to the behaviour of the volcano.
St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves reported that more than 10,000 people had been evacuated from the immediate disaster area – approximately one third of the island. They are being housed in shelters and at homes of family and friends. Accommodation for evacuees is also being arranged by neighbouring States.
The ash and the pyroclastic flows have destroyed crops and vegetation and compromised water sources. Food and water were identified as among the primary needs, the release said.
Member States declared the level of support that had already been delivered and committed to providing further financial, technical and material support, in particular food and water. Security aid is also being provided.
Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados advised the meeting of the effects of the unprecedented heavy ash fall across that island which has resulted in major disruptions to the infrastructure including the closure of the Grantley Adams International Airport with an adverse effect on the tourism sector and the larger economy.
The release said that Heads of Government pledged their support and solidarity with Barbados in treating with this significant challenge.
The Meeting was presided over by the Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Gonsalves briefed his colleagues on the situation at the meeting which was held virtually. The meeting also received information from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) which is co-ordinating the regional response to the event.
The release said that Gonsalves thanked his colleagues and the Regional Institutions for their overwhelming support. He praised the work of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) which has been monitoring the volcano and expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of CDEMA, the Regional Security System (RSS), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
Meanwhile, a statement from the Office of the President yesterday said that Guyana was represented at the meeting from State House by President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and a team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Minister Hugh Todd.
The statement said that President Ali has been leading relief efforts since last Friday.
Prime Minister Phillips coordinated the efforts and by Wednesday, with the support of the private sector, the first ship ‘Miss Meena’ set sail with over 300 tons of emergency supplies, which included food, water and protective gear.
A second shipment carrying a 20ft container with 800 cases of Tropical Mist water, 1152 cases of Rainforest Water and 400 cases of Aqua Mist water left earlier yesterday.
A third vessel scheduled to carry more supplies will leave early next week, the statement said.
