UN launches La Soufriere fundraising effort for SVG, Barbados

The United Nations (UN) Tuesday launched a $60 million (US $29.2 million) global funding appeal for St Vincent and the Grenadines – a fraction of the likely costs in damage, destruction and displacement by the La Soufrière volcano. Barbados and other neighbouring countries left in the eruption’s ash-laden wake are also in line for some of the funds, the UN said.

Close to 20,000 Vincentians have been displaced with over 12,700 evacuees now registered in public shelters and in private homes, while scientists warn the volcano could continue to erupt for weeks ahead.

Entire villages have been covered in ash, with buildings damaged, schools and businesses closed, crops and livestock destroyed, and residents left with limited access to clean drinking water.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves told the appeal’s launch that preliminary disaster assessments show it will take an estimated US$387.5M to restore devastated sections of the island.

In the exclusion zone, the replacement of homes is estimated at $128 million (US$64 million); other buildings are expected to cost $212 million ($US106 million) to replace and infrastructure at $6 million (US$3 million) to fix or rebuild, according to the Vincentian leader. But he said the extent of the damage won’t be fully known until the eruptions cease.

Didier Trebauq, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS, stressed that support for St Vincent is critical.

He said: “I really want today to launch a call for action, Great international support is urgently needed. This will allow us to rapidly scale up our support to the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines to respond to this growing humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes.

“We have no time to lose.”

Funding raised through the UN Global Funding Appeal for the La Soufrière Volcano Response Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Affected Countries” will provide immediate lifesaving humanitarian aid including cash assistance and clean water, and support a sustainable recovery, including through repairs to homes and support for livelihoods.

Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia are also in line to benefit from the aid.

The UN and partners will also assess the economic, social, and environmental impact on countries affected by the volcano, supporting ash removal and improving environmental health conditions. Another priority is to continue preventing the spread of COVID-19 as part of the shelter management work and all humanitarian and recovery efforts. (SD)