“It must not only be disasters that bring us together” – President Ali

La Soufrière eruption

…as 3rd relief shipment to set sail for St Vincent

Emergency supplies have been loaded onto a vessel for St Vincent and the Grenadines – the third shipment which Guyana has prepared for the affected island within recent days.

Presently, St Vincent is still witnessing seismic tremor generated by explosive activity at La Soufrière volcano, and thousands of residents continue to take refuge at shelters on the other side of the ravaged islandQ.
The MV Lady Fazeela, carrying 275 tonnes of food supplies and other needed articles, will set sail today for the volcano-ravaged island. But first, it will deliver bottled water and 450-gallon tanks to Barbados – which has been facing the brunt of the volcanic ash.
Items sent to St Vincent are in keeping with the list of necessities provided by the Government. In the local relief efforts, the Private Sector and civil society have mustered up to the challenge of contributing to a large percentage of the aid.

President Dr Irfaan Ali was at the Georgetown Wharf on Monday afternoon as the supplies were packed into the vessel. This humanitarian relief, he noted, was heavily backed by volunteerism and the Private Sector – an act which must be commended.
Ali said it shows a strong commitment to social responsibility in getting necessities into the hands of St Vincentians and Barbadians. The Civil Defence Commission and Coast Guard also played a key role in mobilising relief.
“I think the Private Sector of Guyana has shown on many occasions that they can rise to different challenges; that their commitment to the development of Guyana and the region as a whole is key to their success. In Caricom itself, there should be great recognition for the tremendous work of Guyana’s Private Sector in mobilising resources, not the first time, not the second time.”

The Head of State continued, “There are no barriers that can stop us from achieving what we plan to achieve. But it must not only be disasters that bring us together, to push us to work like this together. This must be a part of our culture in building our country and the Caricom region. Guyana understands our responsibility to Caricom. We understand our role in Caricom.”
Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Mia Mottley were given assurances of support from Guyana and in rebuilding their nations and the livelihoods of people.
On Saturday, the first vessel arrived at Port Kingstown, St Vincent. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves lauded the Government and its people for efforts to help the small island republic, hailing Guyana as the “head cornerstone” within the Caribbean Community.

Gonsalves noted that metaphorically, St Vincent and the Grenadines is in a precarious position when the volcano eruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming hurricane season is considered and therefore expressed gratitude for Guyana and any other country that assisted them.
That first shipment contained 350 tonnes of varied aid including water, water storage containers, sugar, rice, peas, chowmein, sanitisers, detergents, disinfectant, personal care items and supplies for infants. A 20-foot container of water from Guyana was also sent to the volcano-ravaged island.

Volcanic activity
Since the first eruption two Fridays ago, which covered the island in a blanket of thick smoke, there have been some 30 identifiable explosive events at the site.
Reports from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre said small long-period and hybrid earthquakes started to be recorded again on Monday, at a rate similar to before the last explosive activity.
Meanwhile, one rockfall was recorded, at 01:39h. Rockfalls can be generated by a growing lava dome, but this could not be confirmed without visual observations.
The continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) network has shown a change in the horizontal and vertical movement since the initial depressurisation noted immediately following the April 9 explosive phase. The network is used to track changes in ground shape on and around the volcano. As magma moves beneath the volcano, changes in pressure cause the volcano to change shape (inflate/deflate).
“These changes may suggest magma influx from deep within the sub-volcanic system, however, more investigation is needed to confirm this interpretation. The volcano continues to erupt. Its pattern of seismic activity over the last few days is typical of the growth and destruction of lava domes. Explosions with accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, can occur with little or no warning, impacting St Vincent and neighbouring islands. The volcano is at alert level Red,” the Centre said in Monday’s update.
The World Meteorological Organisation also announced that emissions of sulphur dioxide from the St Vincent eruptions made their way as far as India.
This has now sparked fears of increased levels of pollution in the northern parts of the country and acid rain – caused by a reaction of the SO2 with water.
According to DownToEarth.org, there are tensions of increased levels in the northern parts of the country and acid rain. Sulphur dioxide reacts with water to form sulphuric acid which can come down with rainfall. (G12)