At 8.40 AM on April 9th, 2021, St. Vincent and the Grenadines experienced an explosive eruption at the La Soufriere Volcano in the north of the main island.
Ash plumes of up to 8 km were observed and since then, ash fall has been constant, severe and overwhelming. One person has died from suffocation in Georgetown and a church in Owia and several houses have collapsed under the weight of the ash.
Persons who had remained in the red hazard zone after the initial evacuation order by Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, on April 8th were asked to evacuate immediately following the explosive eruption on April 9th. The islands of St. Lucia, Grenada and Barbados have already indicated their willingness to accommodate up to 20,000 evacuees should the crisis intensify.
On April 10th additional explosions continued throughout the day which further increased ash venting and resulted in a thick blanket of ash covering the entire mainland of Saint Vincent. Some of this ash was disbursed to the neighbouring islands, particularly Saint Lucia and Barbados.
Scientists have expressed the view that the La Soufriere volcano is very likely only just getting started. They have indicated that the data collected points to the very real possibility that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will experience further seismic unrest over the course of the next few days and weeks.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) on the Caribbean Field has been responding to the disaster from the onset. Emergency supplies of food, water, care packets and other items have been steadily distributed to shelters thus far. Response efforts will be upscaled over the coming days as funds received from the Regional NCM Office will be used to increase the emergency supplies available and to bring much-needed relief to evacuees.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is also home to NCM Caribbean Field Coordinators Kelron and Ro-Anne Harry. Sincere appreciation is expressed to NCM Mesoamerica Region and the Caribbean Field Office for all your assistance in this time of overwhelming distress.
Not only does Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continue to grapple with the ongoing challenges of economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic, but it now faces the crisis of its lifetime – the expected protracted eruption of the La Soufriere volcano which has thus far demonstrated tremendous reach in its effects. Therefore, given the predicted severity of this disaster, and the complexity of the challenges aggravated by economic hardship and the COVID-19 threat, we are appealing to our local, district and Caribbean churches as well as those further afield for your continued prayers, kind support and solidarity.
Source: Dr. Ro-Anne Quashie-Harry
