St. Vincent and the Grenadines Volcano Eruption: La Soufrière


A volcanic eruption has blanketed the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in ash and smoke and forced thousands of people out of their homes. The BBC has documented the events in an article here.

I know this is a terribly worrying time for people in Wycombe with family, friends and property on the island. That is why I I continue to be on hand to support St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this time:

  • On 10th April, I asked ministers to investigate whether there is more help we can offer to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • UK Government ministers approved direct support and emergency assistance which has helped to provide lifesaving humanitarian supplies like shelter, sanitation kits and protective equipment. You can read into the Government’s response to the St. Vincent volcano eruption in a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Press Release here
  • I contacted the Foreign Secretary, on behalf of constituents, to request further, emergency assistance to the island of Bequia, the second-largest island in the Grenadines, alongside Action Bequia
  • I applied for a Business Question for answer on Thursday 15th April to request an oral statement from the Leader of the House of Commons. Though unsuccessful in the ballot, I made written ministerial representation instead, to show support and to represent our citizens
  • I asked two FCDO named-day written Parliamentary Questions as follows:
    • To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano, what steps he is planning to take to support the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports that following the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano on the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, only people who have been vaccinated against covid-19 are able to access evacuation to neighbouring islands; and if he will make a statement
  • These were both answered by Minister Nigel Adams on 21st April; you can read his responses here
  • I continue to work with the High Commissioner for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Cenio Lewis

Wycombe is home to a large part of the Vincentian community in the UK Diaspora, so please give generously to the UK-SVG FRIENDSHIP TRUST charity appeal launched by the High Commission for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Tags: , ,

Comments & Responses

Comments are closed.