Volcano La Soufrière: Dominica to provide shelter to evacuees of St Vincent

Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, announced to provide shelter to the people of St Vincent who had to evacuate due to severe volcanic activity.

Dominica: After the reports of the La Soufrière volcano eruption in St Vincent, CARICOM and OECS communities came forward to lend support in the time of crisis. Leading the queue Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, announced to provide shelter to the people of St Vincent who had to evacuate due to severe volcanic activity.

The government of Dominica has identified Moroccan Hotels and several apartment complexes in the country to provide shelter to the evacuees of St Vincent. In his message, the prime minister said that they had thought Volcano’s situation would not deteriorate to its current state. “I have been in touch with my colleague Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, all night,” PM Skerrit added.

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In his Facebook post, PM Skerrit added, “It is estimated that they have to evacuate around 20,000 people due to the La Soufrière volcano, while 12,000 will be accommodated in shelters at St Vincent, the remaining 8,000 people to be accommodated outside the SVG.”

“We are coordinating with member states of the OECS and CARICOM to see how many evacuees each country can accommodate. Last night in Dominica, we met with Cabinet to discuss our acceptance and preparations to seek evacuees from St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

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Displaying the solidarity with St Vincent and the Grenadines, PM Skerrit said, “It is a very difficult situation for the government and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. We all extend our solidarity and empathy, love and concern to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. This has come at a very difficult time of COVID-19; however, it is a national disaster, and we have to respond with the love and solidarity that is required from us as the citizens of OECS.”

“I believe we have a duty and an obligation to extend a handful of love and empathy to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Read More: Volcano: CARICOM comes forward to help St Vincent and the Grenadines

Apart from this, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St Lucia, Anguilla, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and other member states of the CARICOM and OECS have announced their support to St Vincent and the Grenadines.