GOB urges for cash donation to aid St Vincent & Grenadines

Belize: The Government of Belize has initiated an appeal for cash donations to provide support to the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines affected by the eruption of the La Soufrière Volcano.

The La Soufrière Volcano on St. Vincent erupted on April 9, 2021, wreaking widespread destruction to property and disruption to their way of life. The volcano has entered an explosive eruptive phase that may continue over the next few days and weeks. Subsequent explosions are expected to be of similar or larger magnitude.

Approximately 18% of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (110,000) has been displaced by the La Soufrière eruption. Additionally, an estimated 3% of the population (3,500) is located in shelters and numbers are reported to be rising.

Heavy ashfall is a major concern and has affected persons with respiratory conditions as well as housing, drainage and infrastructure, including the water supply.

Persons wishing to donate monies may do so through the Belize Red Cross. In this time of immediate need, the Government of Belize urges all to give as generously as possible. The population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines need our help.

Other Caribbean countries to help St Vincent

Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia, Jamaica, Grenada and other sister islands have provided help to the St Vincent.

Dominica would evacuate 300 people from St Vincent for 5 months. At the same time, St Lucia will also evacuate 300 people.

The World Bank has spent out US$20 million to provide support to the management of St Vincent and the Grenadines in acknowledgement of the necessity of the La Soufrière volcanic eruption.

The explosive eruption occurred on April 8 and demanded 20,000 people be evacuated from the high-risk zones about the volcano, both to other parts of St Vincent and surrounding nations. Explosions recommence, and the falling ash caused troubling air quality and interruptions in electricity and the water supply.

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