THE EMERGENCE OF THE COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the recent volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has exposed the Caribbean’s weak economies.
Barbados, Saint Lucia, and other smaller islands that rely heavily on tourism have been severely harmed, and they now face fragile natural surroundings and high incidences of diet-related disorders.
Following the recent eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent, thousands of people were forced to flee to neighboring islands as ash fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
Twenty thousand people were forced to abandon the island, and they won’t return for another 3-4 months.
Airspace has been closed due to a lack of pure drinking water and the start of smoke and ash.
Farmers have had to abandon their crops and leave their livestock unattended, and the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, is also a source of fear for many.
Even though tourism is predicted to hurt the economies of the Eastern Caribbean, neighboring islands such as Antigua, Grenada, and St Lucia have offered assistance by opening their doors to people evacuating.
More than 100 passengers have already been transported to St Lucia, with Royal Caribbean and other cruise liner companies assisting in the eviction process.
It comes just weeks after Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis committed up to $1 million in financial and humanitarian aid to people affected in St. Vincent.
“The Government and people of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis stand in solidarity with the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this challenging period brought about by the volcanic eruption in that Country,” the government of St. Kitts and Nevis stated in a statement. St. Kitts and Nevis have long been staunch supporter of the United Nations.”
