Resident Coordinator's Opening Remarks – Launch of UN Global Funding Appeal for the La Soufrière Volcano Response Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Affected Countries

Good Morning,

It is a privilege for me to here in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, accompanied by UN Agencies colleagues from WFP and UNICEF and the other Members of the UNST who are connected by distance. It is also heartening to be with the people of Saint Vincent and to witness first-hand the resilience shown by Vincentians across the island, in the face of devastating circumstances.

Prime Minister, we went yesterday together to visit several areas including into the red zone, on the east coast up to Sandy Bay. We will see videos later in today in this event. I can only describe the level of impact of the ashes and the rumbling combined with rains as apocalyptic and desolation. Some roofs have collapsed.

The widespread disruption caused by this event to your beautiful country, and its courageous people, will forever be engraved in my mind. The devastating impact of this event on thousands of people is undeniable.

However, after witnessing the wide efforts deployed so far by your Government PM and the people, I am also full of hope and must congratulate you. There were no deaths.

PM you can count on the UN as your partner, working with your government and regional institutions such as CDEMA and the OECS to ensure a swift response and resilient recovery.

The launch of the UN Global Funding Appeal for La Soufrière Volcano Response in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and neighboring Affected Countries, reflects the commitment of the entire United Nations family to SV and the region. The same that was expressed by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres , when he conveyed few days ago his deepest solidarity with the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Let me turn to the IMPACT

To date, it is estimated that:

• Around 15,000 persons have been displaced of the Red and Orange zones . (accounting for 15% of the population). These evacuated households from northern areas have higher indices of poverty, hence most vulnerable. But overall, I want to stress this is the vast majority of the population of the island that has been affected.
• 6, 200 persons registered in  shelters and 6,567 are registered displaced in  private homes, hence also placing their host in a vulnerable situation.
• 2 out of 5 hospitals were impacted in affected areas and evacuated. This is even putting more pressure on the rest of the health system.
• It was estimated that 15-20,000 may be at risk of food insecurity.

I am sure that PM will provide many more insights.

What is important here is that we are dealing a crisis within the COVID crisis. We fear the risk of spike in COVID cases with people in shelters. Moreover, this is a very uncertain and complex situation where new eruptions may occur (as there was another one 2 days ago). So, the situation can deteriorate rapidly and the hurricane season is about to start in 6 weeks (predicted to be likely above average). This simply illustrates the complex layers of challenges that SIDS face and that we once again have to overcome.

The impact of ashfall and rumblings from this disaster are diverse: limited reliable access to water, food, loss of assets (houses or crops and livestocks); health facilities affected (2 out of 5 hospitals were evacuated); Loss of livelihood for the families; Disruption in continuity in education; face immense logistical challenge (both cleanup, repairs and delivery of assistance). I am sure the PM would further elaborate.

I wish to stress that the Ashfall has also affected Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Grenada ,which may compromise public health, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism across many islands.

UN RESPONSE

Prime Minister requested the assistance of the United Nations. We also received a request from Barbados. As a result, the UN has mobilized humanitarian interventions across its agencies. Currently WFP, Unicef, PAHO/WHO are first responders on the ground, with others like FAO, UNFPA, UN Women donating supplies.

We have currently allocated close to US$ 2 million to the response, including $1 million approved through the CERF for drinking Water and Hygiene supported by UNICEF and PAHO; and cash voucher interventions to help the displaced people with food and basic supplies in shelters supported by WFP.

UNEP is deploying a team a experts in collaboration with the EU this week to support the cleanup and disposal of ashes and environmental health. 

PAHO donated many health equipment or PPEs.

Let me turn to the APPEAL

As agreed with PM Gonsalves, this funding appeal intends to mobilize the solidarity from the international community. Through the various UN agencies, we would be able to scale up our support at least for next 6 months.

So, we are launching today’s USD$29.2 M Global Funding Appeal. This is an effort to protect the most vulnerable displaced or affected people in SVG primarily but also in neighboring affected countries.

The 2 Pillars of the response include:

1. Humanitarian response - Provision of time-sensitive and lifesaving humanitarian interventions. 
2. Initiate the recovery and rehabilitation. More needed once whole scope of damages, losses and needs will have been assessed.

Interventions are divided amongst 8 sectors being: 1/ WASH;  2/  Security and Livelihoods;  3/ Shelter and Housing; These are our 3 immediate top priorities.

3/ Health to strengthen health system capacities and prevent further COVID spike; 4/ Cleanup of ashes, equipment and environmental health;    5/ continuity of Education; 6/ restoration of agriculture; 7/ protection (GBV and child in precarious conditions); 8/ and finally Logistics.

CALL TO ACTION

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, I want today to launch a call for action.

Greater international support is urgently needed. This will allow us to rapidly scale up our support the Government and the people to respond to this growing humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. We have no time to lose, as we have to prevent a multiple crisis scenario.

It is with this in mind that along with my colleagues from the UN Team from barbados and  the Eastern Caribbean I make an urgent appeal to ramp up international solidarity and support for St Vincent and the Grenadines and other affected countries, through immediate contribution to this UN Global Funding Appeal.

I would like to thank you for being here today. Thank you, PM, for the trust. Let us all endeavor to work together and let us truly be our brother and sister’s keeper.  

Thank you.