Responding to a natural disaster is a complex problem. However, the response from the Region, and Guyana especially, has been prompt, and the individual support is admirable. West Indies T20 star Kesrick Williams, like many others, was affected by La Soufriere volcano eruption in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Williams, who resides near the red zone in St Vincent, disclosed that he was hospitalised after the ashes entered his nasal system. According to Williams, the other West Indies cricketers who lives in St Vincent are safe.
CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow
“I’m not too bad, just some ashes now. The rain started falling a couple days, but the volcano was erupting; but we are hoping for the best. I was affected very bad. I was in the hospital at some stage when the ashes entered my nasal system. I could not breathe properly, but I am better now,” Williams disclosed on the recent Mason and Guest radio programme.
The likes of Sunil Ambris, Obed Mc Coy, umpire Dayton Butler, Delron Johnson and Keron Cottoy are some of the cricketers who are safe.
Williams said he is offering help to the population, and his West Indies team mates Lendl Simmons, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, and Rayad Emrit, among others, have come on board.
“You can send the cash, but the supplies are here and a lot of people cannot buy it. The boats are so packed, and you might not get your stuff. The lines here for Western Union and MoneyGram are ridiculous, and people need stuff right now. All water system is contaminated, so bottle water is essential,” Williams added.
In terms of adhering to the COVID-19 advisories, Williams said the SVG Government are trying their best, but many individuals in the population are still uncertain whether or not to take the vaccine.
Kesrick Williams
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) stands with the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines at this very challenging time of national disaster. We have sent a note of solidarity, in care of our CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow, to the several current and past West Indian cricketers who reside in SVG,” a CWI release has disclosed.
Shallow, who is Vincentian, has been the CWI Vice President since 2019, working alongside President Ricky Skerritt. “On behalf of the cricket family of the West Indies, CWI extends our prayers for our Vincentian brothers and sisters in the midst of this emergency,” the release added.
Many cricketers from St Vincent have represented West Indies. They include Alphonso Roberts, Nixon McLean, Cameron Cuffy, Sunil Ambris, Kesrick Williams and Obed McCoy.
Meanwhile, CWI Vice President Kishore Shallow has said he is safe and he lives in the green zone. The beautiful cricket venue Arnos Valle is safe, and hopefully, when things get better, Shallow is hoping for international cricket to return. He also thanked the region for making significant contributions to SVG.
“Arnos Valle is fine. They would have been affected by the ash, but we had some good rainfall over the weekend, which has helped the cause. The venue has not been damaged in any way,” he said.
From an agricultural and infrastructural perspective, Shallow said, a lot of churches and houses have been destroyed, and the road is covered with a great amount of ash. He said the farms are totally destroyed.
