U.S gives $3.8 million in relief assistance to SVG

By Demion McTair. Updated 4:02 p.m., Friday, May 14, 2021, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The United States has provided 3.8 million dollars in emergency assistance for the people affected by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent.

The U.S Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS – Linda S. Taglialatela, said Friday, at a press conference in St. Vincent, that the assistance comes through the U.S Agency for International Development – USAID.

She said it “adds to the United States’ ongoing commitment to help with the assistance and it increases our contributions to five million dollars”.

Ambassador Taglialatela said the money is being donated through the UN appeal.

“The money will be handed to our humanitarian partners which are the World Food Program, the International Red Cross, UNICEF and PAHO. We will work with them on the use of the money and maintaining and monitoring the programs,” Taglialatela said.

The ambassador said that the U.S’ assistance effort in relation to the volcanic situation began “with the firsts signs that the volcano was starting to make noise”. She said seismic equipment was brought to St. Vincent, a station was set up, and there was collaboration with the University of the West Indies “in tracking what the volcano might be doing”.

“Since then we have continued to partner with international partners to provide assistance to St. Vincent,” she said.

The ambassador said that the 3.8 million dollars will go to important things such as allowing for access to emergency food, safe drinking water, and hygiene kits.  

She said the money will also provide an avenue for which the movement of supplies can be better facilitated, presenting additional support to the infrastructure and it will also give the U.S the opportunity to work with St. Vincent in its road to recovery.

“I have to say that the United States is committed to assisting St. Vincent and the Grenadines in this time. We are partners, we are friends, we are close allies, and it is important for us to support St. Vincent at this time,” the ambassador said.