BVI News

Gov’t expected to detail how the BVI will assist St Vincent

The La Soufriere Volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines erupted last Friday April 9, 2021.

The BVI government is expected to release an official statement today, informing residents of the kind of assistance it can offer St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano continues to affect that nation.

Back in January before the volcano erupted, the BVI government had indicated that it stands ready to assist if SVG called for help.

La Soufriere began erupting on Friday, April 9, blanketing the nation in ash and smoke and forcing some 16,000 residents out of their homes. Overall, it’s estimated that some 20,000 people will be displaced.

It’s also understood that the volcanic ash had started to impact the Grenadines, Barbados, and St Lucia — all neighbouring islands.

Several other Caribbean countries have so far pledged support, with some committing to house evacuees if necessary.  

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) also said it is now actively coordinating a multi-tiered response intended to effectively support ongoing efforts to address citizens, residents, and organisations’ immediate, medium and longer-term needs.

“The first tier will involve supporting the regional response mechanism through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The second tier will entail the provision of funds to assist with urgent needs at the national level. CDB is maintaining active lines of communication with the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The response here will be tailored by the immediate support requested by the government and the damage assessment,” a release from the CDB said.

La Soufriere last erupted in 1979, causing more than $100 million worth of damage on the island, according to a BBC report.

The worst eruption on record, in 1902, killed more than 1,000 people.  

Officials have reported increased activity from Mount Pelee on the island of Martinique; north of St Vincent.

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8 Comments

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  1. Jah says:

    Very good to help out SVG citizens. House them and let them work. Belongers need fresh blood.

    Like 5
    Dislike 16
    • Stewww says:

      Nonsense why bring them hear when it get expats that are lay-off and looking for work
      There are other ways in helping them

      Like 6
      Dislike 2
  2. To loan says:

    The BVI Government only need to send a barge with needed supplies to St.Vincent.
    I vividly remember during hurricane Irma every island send for their Nationals and never said Tortolians you can come too. We had no where to run especially the indigenous ones that has no documentation for the US or the other islands. We had to stay right here endure and rebuild our country. Many of the handouts that was sent to these islands, the Tortolians never received because number one, Tortolians ain’t standing in no long lines for nothing and number two, people from the other islands were park up in lines from early morning, no room for us if we decided to go and get stuff. You can be mad at my comments but this is plain truth. We are always catering to others and we don’t get the same treatment. There are only about 30% of us remain in this territory which is minority and we don’t need no more people overcrowding these islands. We give when needed and we appreciate when we are in need. Time for us to speak up and defend our land because people who ain’t from here operate and dictate to us like these islands belongs to them. Telling us what we should do for them, and in the same time bashing us, telling us where they from is better than here will go back. Until God take these lands from under us, we will stay put and from here on mean what we say and say what we mean.

    Like 25
    Dislike 6
    • Stewww says:

      You are a special kind of idiot
      You too bad minded and wicked

      Like 2
      Dislike 7
    • SMH says:

      You speaking Truth! I totally agree with You. BVI Citizens had NOWHERE to run to while Expatriates were hussled back to their Countries of Origin after IRMARIA. This is a Prime Example of why We are seeing Our Citizens being bewittled by the Oppression of Others. Send the SVG People Supplies not to tender living accommodation. The BVI People are struggling for Daily survival and the Outsiders living amongst Us are contributing to Our disposition. As usual Tthere will be negative outburst from those who don’t really give a darn about Virgin Islanders or Belongers, but the ??$

  3. Eagle eye says:

    Send one of those park up cruise ships full of water from here decorating the place as if it’s christmas

    Like 13

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