People affected by the dramatic eruption of La Soufrière Volcano in early April will receive $100,000 in humanitarian aid from the US Agency for International Development.
The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, has pledged $100,000 in humanitarian aid to victims of the La Soufrière Volcano’s catastrophic eruption in early April. The funds will be used to aid the estimated 20,000 residents of St. Vincent who have been evacuated for an uncertain period by local authorities.
In December 2020, the La Soufrière Volcano began to exhibit symptoms of increased activity. On April 9, an explosive eruption sent ash clouds several kilometres into the air, resulting in significant ash fall across the island. For more over a week, there have been repeated outbursts.
The donation will go to the Red Cross of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which will use it to give emergency food, safe drinking water, and shelter materials to evacuees. Over 6,000 people sought refuge in emergency evacuation centres. Local and regional disaster response authorities and organizations, including the provincial government’s National Emergency Management Organization, directing the emergency response, are working closely with USAID.
According to the United Nations, food, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene aid were among the top priorities for those in evacuation shelters and other affected communities. Furthermore, the volcanic activity wreaked havoc on the island’s agricultural land and infrastructure, and water systems were rendered inoperable due to pollution concerns. The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is assessing the areas that have been damaged.
The joint USAID-USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program supports the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre’s monitoring of the La Soufrière Volcano. At the same time, the eruption’s duration is undetermined. Since the volcano’s activity intensified last December, these teams have become more collaborative.
The US is dedicated to collaborating closely with groups and governments to help individuals affected by the eruption of La Soufrière Volcano in St. Vincent.
