Vincentians face an added challenge

On 9 April, the St Vincent La Soufrière volcano erupted, covering most of the once-idyllic island with a thick grey blanket of ash (up to 42 centimetres in some places). In addition, the neighbouring islands of St Lucia and Barbados have also been affected, with ‘homes, crops and water supplies . . . also destroyed or contaminated’, according to a 27 April Sky News report.²

With the hurricane season just a few weeks away, Vincentians face an added challenge as they try to recover from the ash.

According to ADRA, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency visited St Vincent on 23 April to evaluate the emergency, which highlighted the need for food, water, and shelter, still crucial necessities for thousands of evacuees.

The report highlights (updated on 27 April):

– 85 public shelters house 4,396 occupants.

– 6,790 persons are registered in private shelters.

– 1,618 families are in private homes.

– 1,333 persons in private homes are registered to feed at shelters.

– 156 persons are sheltered in hotels.

A total of 13,303 persons have been displaced by the eruptions.

Cash donations are preferred due to logistical challenges. On the plus side, the local water production capability is growing, and work is ongoing to restore a pipe-borne supply to the public. Bottled water distribution continues across the SVG.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) will be providing 1,280 meals per day for one month – for 12 shelters.

ADRA-UK has raised more than £14,000 to date, and has immediately made £12,000 available towards providing food to the shelters.

To assist with ADRA’s emergency response on St Vincent, please donate now!

https://app.donorfy.com/donate/C4311R6V76/StVincent