The government of the United States has announced that it will be donating US$3.8 million towards the relief and recovery efforts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, H. E. Linda Taglialatela on Friday May 15th, 2021 announced the aid during a press conference at Cabinet room, adding that the donation is geared at providing access to emergency food, safe drinking water, hygiene kits and additional infrastructural support. She also announced that the US government will contribute an additional, 4 million dollars towards the effort.
Ambassador Taglialatela revealed that the monies will be handed through humanitarian partners such as the World Food Programme, the International Red Cross, UNICEF and PAHO. She also disclosed that the United States humanitarian assistance programme, the US Southern Command has pledged US$4 million to this country. According to the US Ambassador this financial assistance will target training and equipment, renovation of shelters and warehouse and a donation of two field hospitals which will be available in the event of further natural disasters.
The US Ambassador stressed that the United States is committed to providing assistance to this country.
Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, expressed gratitude to the US government for the financial support towards the humanitarian effort and emphasized that the impact of the recent eruption at La Soufriere “is of such a magnitude that we cannot address the issues by ourselves.” The Prime Minister noted that this nation also needed the assistance of its Caribbean family and of the global community.