St Vincent PM calls Guyana “head cornerstone in Caricom”

La Soufrière eruption

…thanks Govt, Guyanese for volcano aid

The vessel carrying emergency supplies donated by Guyana to St Vincent and the Grenadines, which was hit by a volcano when La Soufrière erupted last week, arrived at Port Kingstown on Saturday.
St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was on hand at the port when the shipment arrived. He was accompanied by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Keisal Peters, and the Director of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), Michelle Forbes.

Speaking to the media, Gonsalves lauded the Government and people of Guyana for efforts to help the small island republic, recalling that Guyana had its own issues – a reference to the struggle for democracy last year when the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government refused to relinquish power.
As the then incoming Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Gonsalves had taken a prominent position in calling for that former regime to respect the election results, even telling former President David Granger to “take his licks like a man.”
“The Government of Guyana had organised a meeting with the Private Sector and they opened an account for donations, for relief and reconstruction. You know Guyana went through some difficult times, we all go through difficult times. And what I want Vincentians to see, the way in which (Guyana has assisted us),” Gonsalves said on Saturday.
He added, “I use to always say in the days when things were more difficult in Guyana, that Guyana would be the head cornerstone in Caricom. Almost like biblical prophecy. The stone that the builder rejects, becomes the head cornerstone. And I’m very happy, to see that.”
“I thank the Government and people of Guyana from the bottom of my heart. And I also thank my friend, President Irfaan Ali; he has such a good heart. I want to say that with this renewed bond of friendship and this act of immense solidarity, one cannot help but remember reading in the bible about the ‘good Samaritan’.”

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.
It was explained that this first shipment contains 350 tonnes of varied aid including water, water storage containers, sugar, rice, peas, chowmein, sanitisers, detergents, disinfectant, personal care items and supplies for infants. Additionally, a 20-foot container of water from Guyana is also on the way to the volcano-ravaged island.
Michelle Forbes, who heads NEMO, St Vincent’s equivalent to Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission (CDC), also lauded the donations. According to her, the St Vincent Government has so far been able to distribute over 1000 food packages over the past few days to families in need.
“We have also been improving the distribution now to families now that we have had additional supplies of cots and mattresses, we’re moving to those families in the homes now who need additional assistance in terms of bedding. Because many persons who are bunking with families may not have that support.”
The Honorary Consul of Guyana to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nigel Russel, meanwhile reassured St Vincent of Guyana’s support. He noted that there are Guyanese with no familial ties to St Vincent, who have nevertheless sent aid to the Volcano-hit island.
“President Irfaan Ali has made it clear. This is only the first of many shipments to come. We’ve had hurricanes before, we’ve had floods before. This is our journey. We’ve got to live through this.”
“We’ve lived through all the rest and we’re living through this. So, all the Guyanese who live here are in solidarity. We live here and we’re going to do our best to ensure that each other is well taken care of,” he said.
The La Soufriere volcano started to erupt on April 9, with ash plumes of up to 8 kilometres recorded. There were at least two other eruptions throughout the day – one at 14:45h (2:45 pm) which went about 4 km into the atmosphere, and the other at around 18:35h (6:35 pm).
The explosive eruption had put a significant volume of ash into the atmosphere. It was reported that the volcanic ash consists of fine particles of volcanic rock shot into the air during the eruption and prevailing wind conditions had taken the ash clouds in a north-easterly direction. Reports had indicated that it could reach neighbouring islands including Barbados.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has already said on several occasions that Guyana’s support to St Vincent will be continuous – a commitment which was welcomed by PM Gonsalves on Saturday morning.
In fact, another shipment of items is being prepared for departure from Guyana next Monday that would include water, sugar, rice, assorted food items and personal care and hygiene items. (G3)