The UK gives $1 million assistance to St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines: The UK will further support to provide food, clean water and other essential items, for around 13,000 people affected by the eruption of La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines.The new contribution of £550,000 (USD 695,000) totals UK funding over £800,000 (USD 1 million) since the outbreak began on 9 April and will be delivered via the World Food Program (WFP).These funds will provide urgent cash and vouchers to help families displaced by the volcano meet their immediate nutrition, hygiene and other essential needs for three months.

https://twitter.com/UKinCaribbean/status/1387431669737603075

This announcement follows the UK's earlier commitment of £200,000 (USD 278,000) to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which enabled the immediate mobilization of local support teams and urgent supplies for initial relief.Prior to the explosive eruption, the UK also provided £51,000 (USD 70,000) for aircraft/helicopter surveillance installations and equipment to analyze changes in the volcano and promote the early warning of a timely evacuation.Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said, "We stand united with the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this challenging time. We are all moved by the scenes of devastation and human misery that this volcano has wrought.""I am delighted that the UK acted within 24 hours of the first outbreak to vitally support the CDEMA regional response. This further support will urgently provide assistance to those most affected by the impact of the volcano, including those currently displaced and living in shelters."In addition to our bilateral support, the United Kingdom also supports the international response in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The United Kingdom is a key donor to the United Nations Central Emergency Fund (CERF), which has so far allocated $ 1 million (approximately £719,000) for water, sanitation and hygiene, and to support livelihoods. The United Kingdom is a donor to the International Federation of the Red Cross Emergency Relief Fund (DREF), which has provided funding of approximately £209,000 (USD 290,000) to the Red Cross response. It is about water and sanitation, livelihood support and shelter.In addition to this emergency aid, the United Kingdom has an ongoing development assistance program to St Vincent and the Grenadines, totaling more than £40 million (approximately US $55.5 million). It will make a critical contribution to the country's long-term recovery from the eruption, and includes:

• Funding for critical infrastructure projects.
• Upgrading health care facilities.
• Supporting disaster management systems.
• Green energy and youth programs.

The UK also continues to support St Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.