–amid volcanic eruptions, COVID-19

AS the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines contends with its continuing volcanic eruptions, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations (UN) has launched a US$29.2M global funding appeal on Monday, to aid citizens of the island.
“The funding will provide immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance, including clean water, and support a sustainable recovery for everyone impacted,” the UN said on Monday.
It was also noted that the UN and partners will also assess the economic, social and environmental toll on all the countries touched by the fallout, including ash removal and improving environmental health provisions.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is located in the southern Caribbean, consists of more than 30 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited. At 4,000 feet or 1,220 metres tall, La Soufrière dominates the largest island of St. Vincent. Silent since 1979, the volcano began spewing smoke and rumbling in December, before a full-blown eruption on April 9.?
“With over 12,700 evacuees now registered in public shelters and in private homes, close to 20,000 people are expected to be displaced,” the UN said, adding: “Entire villages have been covered in ash, buildings damaged, schools and businesses closed, crops and livestock destroyed, and residents left with limited access to clean drinking water. “
And further eruptions are expected in the coming weeks. According to Geologist and Professor, Richard Robertson, who is stationed at the Belmont Observatory, the eruptions could last for weeks, if not months.

“The level of destruction that has befallen this beautiful country and the widespread disruption caused by this event will forever be etched in my mind. The devastating impact of this event on thousands of people is undeniable,” UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Carribean, Didier Trebucq, said.
As such, a call for international solidarity has been made to aid the most vulnerable people in St. Vincent as well as in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada and Saint Lucia, which have been hit with severe ashfall.

“The UN will be a steadfast partner, working with the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to ensure strong and resilient recovery,” the resident coordinator said also.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, joined Trebucq to launch the funding appeal, alongside multiple representatives from UN agencies and international organisations, including the World Food Programme (WFP), and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
It is understood that these financial resources will also be used for crucial recovery efforts to immediately assist citizens to regain their footing. It is important to note that several Caribbean countries, including Guyana, have provided aid to the affected Caribbean country.

The UN also underscored that this crisis comes amid the island’s recovery from its largest COVID-19 surge amid the pandemic, the region’s worst dengue outbreak in recent history, and a new deadly hurricane season. ?
Meanwhile, it was noted that the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, announced the allocation of US$1 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to urgently assist affected people, especially those who have had to be evacuated.