St. Vincent's Recovery Impresses UN Chief, Guterres Calls for "Climate Justice" Funding

Sandy Bay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended the resilience and determination of the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in their recovery efforts following the La Soufrière volcanic eruption. During a press encounter in Sandy Bay on March 2, 2024, the Secretary-General expressed his deep admiration for the swift progress made in rebuilding and implementing critical climate change adaptation projects.

"I am extremely impressed by the way it was possible, after the volcano, to so quickly clean all these areas and rebuild," Mr. Guterres said. "At the same time, I'm looking into these extremely important projects of protection against climate change, because of the floods, because of the sea level rise, and it is clear that the government is doing an enormous effort to protect the island."

While praising the government's efforts, the Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need for increased international support for climate-vulnerable nations like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He called for "climate justice" – access to adequate, low-cost, and swiftly allocated financing – to bolster the country's ongoing adaptation projects.

"We must have stronger support from the international community," Mr. Guterres stressed. "This requires quick decisions and quick operationalization of the money available and much more funding because the people of the small island developing states are on the frontlines of climate change. They did not contribute to global warming, but they are paying the price."

Addressing concerns about equitable distribution of resources from the newly established Loss and Damage Fund, the Secretary-General acknowledged the need for streamlined procedures for smaller projects. He emphasized the importance of "expedited decisions" and a simplified process, acknowledging that "projects of this dimension cannot be dealt with the same bureaucracy of projects of billions of dollars at another scale."

The Secretary-General's visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines underscores the UN's commitment to supporting climate-affected communities and advocating for increased international cooperation in addressing the global climate crisis. 

The UN's commitment to helping St. Vincent and the Grenadines weather this storm is longstanding. In the immediate aftermath of the eruption in April 2021, the UN Country Team, led by the Resident Coordinator  Didier Trebucq, mobilized rapidly to support the government’s humanitarian response. Initial response efforts focused on essentials like clean water, sanitation, shelter, and food security for thousands of displaced people. It was a massive undertaking, tackled with determination by UN agencies on the ground in partnership with local organizations.

"Disaster response cannot be separated from long-term development planning," explained Trebucq, reflecting on the experience. This holistic approach laid the foundation for the island's recovery, addressing both immediate needs and future preparedness.

The three years since the eruption have been a journey toward resilience. Homes have been rebuilt, schools reopened, and livelihoods are slowly being restored. But as Trebucq emphasizes, the specific challenges facing small island developing states make the road to recovery both complex and ongoing. Issues like economic vulnerability, limited resources, and exposure to repeated climate-related disasters shape the nation's rebuilding efforts.

With an eye to the future, the UN is helping St. Vincent and the Grenadines create stronger social protection systems and prepare for a future defined by the growing threat of climate change. Secretary-General Guterres' visit serves as a reminder of the global commitment to vulnerable nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines. While the country has made impressive strides, the international community must continue to provide the support necessary to build a truly resilient, sustainable, and secure future against the backdrop of the climate crisis.