CAMBRIDGE – Manufacturers of Canadian PPE equipment are rallying to help the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines after the community was devasted by a series of volcanic eruptions that rocked the Caribbean Island and continue to spew ash across the island.
The effects have been devastating for the small Caribbean island and the community is appealing to the international community for aid in the rebuilding efforts. As of April 12th, 20,000 citizens have been evacuated from their homes.
“The people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have already been hit hard enough as a result of the effects of COVID-19,” said Barry Hunt, President of the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers (CAPPEM), “after learning of the devastation to this beautiful island, my colleagues and I were compelled to act. We hope that this donation by members of our association will help ensure the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines remain safe, said Hunt.”
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Canadian PPE manufacturers in their donation to the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Fitzgerald Huggins, Consul General, “the donation of over one million masks to members of the community will ensure that they are protected as we begin the difficult task of rebuilding our community, said Huggins.”
CAPPEM members are shipping a variety of PPE products to the Community of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines which includes surgical masks, respirators, reusable masks and filters as well as a number of other PPE products.
CAPPEM and the Community of Saint Vincent are also incredibly grateful for the donation of free shipping services provided by FedEx Canada. This PPE equipment will help the community of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines be protected not only from COVID-19 but also from the smoldering ash that continues to spew from volcanos in the area.
ABOUT THE CARRIBEAN ISLAND OF SAINT VINCENT
The Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located in southeast Winward Island of the Lesser Antilles, which lies in the West Indies at the Southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Earlier this month a series of volcanic eruptions rocked the community causing 16,000 people to be displaced from their homes. The community now begins the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding these once quaint villages.