Saint Vincent Volcano Disaster Relief

FROM GO FUND ME: Saint Vincent Volcano Disaster Relief

The La Soufrière volcano in the small Eastern Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines erupted on April 9th 2021 for the first time in 42 years.

This natural disaster has displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes and has uprooted families as they have been forced to leave everything behind and flee St. Vincent and the Grenadines with just a back pack to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Barbados, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda and Saint Lucia. Many were already impacted economically by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UWI Seismic Unit said the eruption is ongoing and it is a culmination of the seismic activity that began on April 8th. Plumes up to 20,000 ft are headed east.

“I am heartbroken about what is happening right now in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Felicia J. Persaud, the founder and CEO Of Invest Caribbean, the US-based global private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. “My associate Danielle Corbin, from The Ritzury Group, with boots on the ground in Barbados, and I, are 1000% committed to helping the country and its people get relief from the modern day Pompeii that is occurring right now in our US backyard. We invite everyone to partner with us by supporting the Saint Vincent Volcano Disaster Relief on GoFundMe to support the thousands of lives that have been devastated and displaced. The daily eruption has left the entire northern third of the island completely desolate, decimating the lives of thousands, including houses, agriculture and livestock. Your support, no matter how big or small, will assist us in getting critical supplies on the ground this week and into the hands of people who need them the most.”

Evacuations continue by land and sea, and explosive eruptions are likely to continue over the coming days – weeks.

Invest Caribbean  – the global private sector investment agency of the Caribbean, along with its partner, The Ritzury Group in Barbados, are pitching into action to help financially support the many Vincentian families, students and children who have been displaced and are now in need of urgent financial support in the islands they have fled.

Invest Caribbean, the the global private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. The company is US-based company founded by Caribbean immigrant, journalist, entrepreneur and advocate in 2011 and its focus is on empowerment of Caribbean people.

The proceeds  of this disaster relief fundraiser will go towards:

1. Financial support for Vincentians forced to leave their country for 3 months post disaster.

2. Financial support for households in neighboring countries who have opened their homes to displaced Vincentians.

3: Financial support for on the ground organizations helping to supply urgently needed items for the survival of the evacuees.

Funds are needed immediately to assist with urgent needs.

Please help us to help now!

Short Term Relief: In the form of immediate necessities- food, water, non-perishables including canned goods and juice, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap, deodorant, shampoos, sleeping mats, blankets, feminine hygiene products, masks, water tanks, portable potties, field tents, field kitchen, respirator masks with filters, goggles, reflective vests, hygiene kits, baby diapers, hand sanitizers, manual can openers, buckets, masks, mosquito repellent, first-aid kits, and antibiotic ointments.

Medium Term Relief: Housing, relocation, clean up efforts, humanitarian aid.

Long Term Relief: Financial aid for affected persons who have fled to neighboring countries, financial aid for families still in SVG, care of elderly, care of students and access to continued education. The goal is to help financially support the long-term needs of many Vincentian families, students and children who will be displaced for months to come.

ICN + Ritzury will provide full transparency in all monies raised, including video documentation of donations. Operational costs will be the only monies deducted from any raise to cover shipping and any other needed logistical support of our partners in this effort.

BBC: St Vincent volcano: Eruptions likely in coming days, experts warn

INFORMATION : University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre