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“Volcanoes are not to be taken for granted even when dormant for decades, even centuries. They are sleeping catastrophes…St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) needs immediate regional and global assistance in this time of compounded crises.” (Elizabeth Morgan, Specialist in International Trade Policy and International Politics)

In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, La Soufrière volcano, located at a height of 1,234 m (4,049 ft)  on the northern part of one of our Caribbean islands, St Vincent, which had erupted 42 years ago in 1979, started showing signs of renewed activity in late December 2020. On the morning of Friday 9 April, SVG’s National Emergency Management Organisation said on Twitter:

“La Soufriere has moved into an explosive state. Plumes up to eight kilometers. Ashfall expected within five minutes#svgeruption2021# 8:54 AM · Apr 9, 2021”

At 9 am that morning the volcano erupted and since then there have been a series of explosive volcanic eruptions on the island. Scientists say that the eruptions are likely to continue for weeks.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), situated in the southern Caribbean,  comprise the main island, St. Vincent, (Capital – Kingstown), which is 26 km (16 mi) long, 15 km (9.3 mi) in width and 344 km2 (133 sq mi) in area, and a chain of 32 smaller islands and cays – 9 of which are inhabited. The Population of SVG is 111, 221 (2021).

There have been at least 5 eruptions of this volcano since March 1718  when 56 deaths were reported. Other eruptions took place in  1812, 1902–3 – when 1680 persons died, 1971–2 and 1979.

As DW News reported: “The Eastern Caribbean is a highly volcanic region with as many as 19 active volcanoes spread out across 11 islands. A 1997 eruption in Montserrat killed at least 19 people.”

On Thursday 8 April, there were several small tremors detected at the volcano, and clouds of steam erupted from its peak. Officials raised the alert level. The media reported that hours after SVG’s Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, issued an order for a full evacuation of the area, La Soufriere volcano erupted just before 9 o’clock am on Friday, 9 April 2021. Six hours later there was a second explosive eruption. Clouds of ash were thrown 20,000 feet in the air. The sky darkened and as thick layers of ash “rained down” covering everything and blowing into homes. A strong smell of sulphur filled the air. Inevitably, there is concern about air quality.

On that morning about 20,000 people were evacuated from the area surrounding the volcano. The airport was closed. There were power outages and the water supply was cut off in many areas. Although there have been no reports of injuries or deaths, the trauma experienced by people, including my many friends who live there, some of whom had retired there from London, is heart-breaking.

Clouds of ash blew to the neighbouring island of Barbados, about 200 km to the east of SVG, covering large parts of the island. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency said.” Barbadians have been urged to stay indoors as thick plumes of volcanic ash move through the atmosphere.” Grantley Adams International Airport was closed for nearly a week due to the ash that settled there. However, the airport re-opened from 6 p.m. on Friday 16 Apl.  St Lucia and Martinique were also affected by ash that blew to these islands. 

In SVG thousands of residents have been sleeping in emergency shelters. Some persons are staying with family and friends. The airspace and airport have been closed due to the thick ash falling.

As the days went by, some rain fell and, when mixed with the ash, it turned into thick sludge and hardened. Flashes of volcanic lightning lit up the sky, and thunder rumbled. The roofs of many buildings have caved in due to the weight of the ash. Media images of persons going back to see how they could tend to their livestock highlight the plight of animals. Eventually, the Government in SVG placed guards so that citizens could not return to the red zone because of the danger caused by the constant eruptions.

On Tuesday April 13, pyroclastic flows “(hot turbulent avalanches of collapsing material from the eruption column) travelled down the Rabacca River towards the east coast and mud flows were observed in Sandy Bay area” (www.volcanodiscovery.com) – down the montainside, into the valleys on both sides of the island – destroying everything in their path. At 4:50 p.m. on Sunday 18 April, there was a further eruption of the Volcano.

Solidarity is a key social justice principle. As National Geographic has noted: “…offers of financial and logistical support have come in from around the region and the world.” Humanitarian assistance and disaster response/relief efforts are underway.  

For example, the Catholic Church in the region is playing its part. Archbishop Jason Gordon, Archdiocese of Port of Spain is in contact with Trinidadian-born Bishop Gerard County CSSp of Kingstown, SVG, who says: “”We will come through this.”  And on Sat Apl. 17 and Sun Apl 18, His Grace arranged for a 2nd collection to be earmarked for SVG relief efforts. Persons can also donate online, and Catholic organisations, such as the Commission which I Chair, CCSJ, and the Ecclesial Community, Living Water Community,  and the Society of St Vincent de Paul, are mobilising support. Several other CARICOM countries have offered assistance. 

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) deployed a contingent as part of the Regional Security System’s (RSS) humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) mission. Relief items from St Lucia and also from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States have also been sent to SVG.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) sent a vessel, the MV Galleon Passage, with supplies and 50 members of our Defence Force – T&T Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard and Reserves, to provide aid. They arrived there on Tuesday 13 April. The contingent consisted of personnel from engineers, infantry/ provost, medical and logistics. They will stay on the island for approximately two weeks in the first instance. They took with them mattresses, water, food essentials, toiletries, hygiene materials, simple medical supplies and other requested items such as water tanks and buckets.

Representatives from the T&T Red Cross Society and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) also accompanied them. The vessel returned with about 75 T&T citizens who were repatriated here from SVG as a result of the crisis.

NGOs, Faith Communities, Individuals and organisations such as The Supermarket Association of T&T is sending more than TT$1million to SVG to assist needy families and The Manufacturers Association is also sending supplies.  The T&T organisation: Is there not a Cause (ITNAC), has already sent a shipment of relief which included water, non-perishable food items, batteries, torchlights, baby supplies, medical supplies, gloves and masks. in TT and across the CARICOM region.

T&T’s Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, is sending from the Police stores: camouflage uniforms and caps, combat boots, respirators, cots, goggles and blankets. He said that the region’s Commissioners of Police have also been assisting in providing water, packaged meals and raincoats.

On Monday, April 12, the World Bank disbursed US$20 million to support the Government of SVG’s response to the current crisis. Venezuela and the US are also sending aid. 

A number of Cruise ships have taken SVG citizens on board and arrangements are being made to take some of them to other islands.

Let us pray for God’s mercies for all those adversely affected by this natural disaster.