"I have to be strong for everybody, but it is not easy," says, PM Gonsalves

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit invited his counterpart from St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves on Anou Pale.

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines stated that the people of his country are in the spirit of solidarity and handling the crisis caused by La Soufriere volcano with courage. He also thanked Dominican PM Skerrit for the help and support. SVG PM Ralph Gonsalves stated that Dominica provided water when the supplies were contaminated with volcanic ashes. "The solidarity is also going to be tested in the weeks ahead because it is a long, long path," stated Vincentian PM Ralph Gonsalves. Furthermore, Ralph Gonsalves stated that St Vincent and the Grenadines have a good structure, and the national emergency organizations are working tirelessly. He noted the United Nations, CARICOM, OECS, CARPHA, and other major agencies have also come up to help.

Even NGO's like Red Cross, World Central Kitchen are also helping SVG in tackling the crisis.

"I have to be strong for everybody, but it is not easy," stated PM Gonsalves.

PM Gonsalves stated that it is not an easy thing to house and feed 7,000 people in 88 shelters. He stated these shelters are mainly schools, while some of them are also church buildings.

"We have another 7,000 in private homes who have registered, while there are expected to be more people in private homes," stated PM Gonsalves.

He stated some people chose to stay in their houses in orange zones, and the government had to deliver water and other necessary services to them.

Vincentian PM stated that it is a monumental task, and on a daily basis, over 21,000 meals are provided to evacuees residing in shelters. The meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner for 7,000 people. Besides this, the government is also providing food packages to the evacuees accommodated in private rooms and the people in orange zone areas.