The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an immediate $100,000 in disaster relief for people affected by violent eruptions of La Soufrière Volcano on the island of Saint Vincent.
In an official statement, USAID explains this latest donation supplements support it has already provided to the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) for evacuation efforts, as well as to the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross to assess humanitarian needs.
“Up to 19,000 people are being evacuated for an undetermined period and will require humanitarian assistance,” USAID noted in the release. “USAID is working with the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross to assess humanitarian needs and provide immediate assistance to evacuees, including thousands of people in emergency evacuation shelters.”
In addition, USAID already has sent in its own teams to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to assist with response efforts.
“Disaster experts from USAID are on the ground, working in close coordination with local and regional disaster response authorities and organizations, including the local government’s NEMO, which is leading the evacuation operations,” USAID confirmed.
The organisation also reported that its Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP)—carried out in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Service (USGS)—is continuing to support the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre to monitor the volcano, which may continue erupting for an unknown period.
USAID said the teams have been collaborating closely since December, when there was an initial rise in La Soufrière’s activity.
More details on USAID’s operations in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, here… https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/svg.