Local NewsNews Vincies stuck in volcano red zone, minded transport issues, neighbours – UWI survey by Marlon Madden 01/05/2021 written by Marlon Madden Updated by Desmond Brown 01/05/2021 4 min read A+A- Reset FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 172 The small number of individuals who chose not to evacuate their homes in light of the explosive eruption at the La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent cited a lack of transport and the fact that some neighbours were staying as their reasons for not leaving, a University of the West Indies survey has found. In addition, more than 70 per cent of Vincentians said that they were not adequately equipped to assist people outside of their immediate household when the explosive eruption started. Following the ashfall from the first explosive eruption on Friday, April 9, UWI Cave Hill Professors Dwayne Devonish and Justin Robinson carried out two online surveys on its effect. The first, which was reported last Friday, indicated that some Barbadians were concerned about treatment from their employers during the period of ashfall, but it indicated that Barbadians overall followed the correct guidance and protocols of the public and environmental health professionals. The St Vincent study was based on an online survey among 320 Vincentians, supported by telephone interviews done with enumerators on the island to support residents who did not have the resources to conduct the online version of the survey. Professor Devonish noted: “This survey provided on-the-ground, real-time intelligence on the plight of Vincentians, their most troubling concerns and challenges, needed supports, resources and assistance and their views on the evacuation process/experience on the mainland.” You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians He pointed out that the greatest needs or calls for assistance revolved around water and other supplies, as expressed by 87 per cent of the sample. This was followed by food items, 64 per cent, the clearing of debris and ash 55 per cent. He added: “It was important to note that among 320 respondents in the survey, most were not from ‘high hazard’ zones/areas, or areas in which evacuation was mandated. “However, 20 per cent of respondents were from areas in which evacuation was mandated and 90 per cent of those in this group indicated that they heeded the call to evacuate urgently. “The remaining 10 per cent who chose not to evacuate, as required, suggested reasons such as lack of transportation, while others claimed that ‘others in their community were not leaving so they were doing the same.” He said when Vincentians were asked about their willingness to leave their country to live temporarily in another country, a substantial proportion of them, 41 per cent, said they preferred to remain in St Vincent and the Grenadines and a third or 32 per cent, acceded that they were willing to leave only if the situation worsened. “Surveys like this are critical for providing the necessary data and needs assessments to the authorities to inform planning and action and to address the diverse needs of residents in the country during this extremely difficult period,” said Professor Devonish. He said the survey showed that residents in Kingstown perceived the most damaging effects of the volcanic activity was on their lives, families, communities and the overall social and economic status of the country, 65 per cent. In terms of preparation, although 40 per cent of Vincentians claimed that they felt somewhat prepared to assist themselves alone in the situation, more than 70 per cent admitted that they were ill-equipped to adequately assist members of their community and others affected members of the public. “The findings noted that many Vincentians were put in an unenviable position to look after their immediate needs and those of their families exclusively and one where they were less able or willing to ‘spread themselves thin’ to support or assist other members of the public, especially in light of the scarce resources and emergency situation,” said Professor Devonish, who said this finding was not surprising. “However, Vincentians are very resilient and loving people and many of them were indeed willing to assist and support each other, especially in the evacuation process and within the shelters as expressed by more than 70 per cent of the sample,” he added. Professor Devonish said the UWI was hoping to gather more data and that the resultant findings would assist in some way to inform the response and recovery efforts in the country. (MM) Marlon Madden You may also like ‘Reds’ Perreira pays tribute to late cricket administrator 22/08/2026 National Senior Games launched 22/08/2026 MP tells 11‑Plus students to think past school labels 22/08/2026
