CARICOM conducts a special virtual meeting to help St Vincent

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley is keeping up with all his work despite being in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. On Thursday, acting as the Chairman of CARICOM, Dr Keith Rowley chaired a special meeting with heads of governments virtual meeting.

The meeting focused on the delivery of supply for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines who are experiencing devastation due to the eruption of La Soufriere volcano since 9 April 2021.

Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign CARICOM Affairs, Stuart Young and Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to CARICOM, Frances Seignoret, also participated in the meeting.

St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Barbadian PM Mia Amor Mottley also virtually participated in the CARICOM meeting on Thursday,

Prime Minister of St Vincent and Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves also participated in the virtual supply and shared his gratitude to all heads of states for assisting the country in these unprecedented times.

United Nations have also decided to launch a funding appeal to help St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Due to the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, more than 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are forced to evacuate in government shelters.

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines have shown their concerns on the possible COVID-19 outbreak at the shelters where the evacuees have been accommodated.

Entire St Vincent and the Grenadines is currently covered in volcanic ash, and people have been appointed to clear the wreckages. NEMO SVG and Seismic Research Institute of the University of West Indies have appointed their team to monitor the activities of the La Soufriere volcano.

On Thursday, due to the massive eruptions, the earthquake was also felt in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Eruptions at the 4,000 feet tall volcano are expected to continue in recent days.The volcanic ashes have also reached Barbados and Antigua, and Barbuda.