EDITORIAL

Remembering our brothers and sisters in St.Vincent and the Grenadines

As we go to press, we are keeping a close watch on the disastrous news coming from St. Vincent. Although the scientists who are monitoring volcanic activity on the island are telling us that the eruptions which started last week may continue for some time, we are hoping that La Soufriere goes back to sleep.

So far we have received no reports of any deaths resulting  from the eruptions but the tremendous damage already wrought by the volcano during this current pandemic was enough to bring Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and many of his fellow nationals to tears.

Our heart goes out to all Vincentians at this time of  deep distress as the beautiful island of St. Vincent now faces a major rebuilding challenge.

We are saddened by the news that thousands of people are now homeless as a result of this catastrophic event.

But we remain confident that Vincentians at home and in the diaspora will rise to the challenge which they are now facing.

We are particularly pleased to note that soon after the eruptions started, Vincentians in Toronto sprung into action to assist the folks ” back home ” with donations of basic necessities.

Large quantities of emergency relief supplies have already been collected and donations continue to arrive at KLC Shipping in Scarborough which has offered storage and” free shipment from Canada to  St. Vincent.”

Fitzgerald Huggins,  Consul General for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Toronto, who has been busy overseeing relief operations, told The Caribbean Camera that the people who have been displaced by the eruptions are in great need of food, water and other items.

With respect to the water problem in St. Vincent, we note that the Mississauga-based King David Global Foundation which specializes in water purification, is offering its services free of cost to the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We have no doubt that King David Global Foundation can be of great help.

The National Emergency Managment Organization (NEMO) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines  has prepared a “needs list” which includes items  such as water tanks, folding cots, portable potties, blankets, sleeping mats, respirator masks, cleaning supplies nand hygiene kits.

We hope that would-be donors carefully consider the “needs list.”

As La Soufriere continues to rumble, let us bear in mind that the volcano in St. Vincent  is not just a St. Vincent problem.Neighbouring islands are also affected by the billowing ash.

And we are pleased to note that the CARICOM family of nations has opened its heart and is providing assistance to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

We hope that our Caribbean community in Canada will also remember our brothers and sisters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and generously make donations of cash or emergency relief items.

Let us show our love and concern for St. Vincent and the Grenadines now in its hour of  deep distress.