Several varieties of trees have been planted in the Turnell Plot at Rabacca, as efforts to reforest the plot got underway following the devastation caused by the explosions of the La Soufriere volcano.
The replanting process which took place on Friday October 29th, 2021 formed part of activities to mark United Nations Day. United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mr. Didier Trebucq planted the first tree a Yellow Poui. Mr. Trebucq shared the moment with Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Montgomery Daniel and Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Saboto Caesar, other UN team members, and Forestry personnel.
Trebucq stated that the La SoufrièreVolcano eruptions significantly impacted lives and infrastructure, and destroyed crops hence; the tree planting ceremony rebuilds hope. He further said that the occasion served as a sstrong signal ahead of COP26 for climate change mitigation. The UN Resident Coordinator added that the UN will give aadditional finances to small islands so that they can adapt to climate change. To this end, he applauded this country’s Government for its commitment to climate change. “We are proud as UN to witness this event,” the Resident Coordinator stated.
Director of the Forestry Department, Mr. Fitzgerald Providence, said the area has always been dedicated to conservation and his department plans to reforest the entire Plot. He disclosed that fruit trees will be added to the Plot. According to Providence, the majority of the trees planted last Friday were Blue Mahoes.
Prior to the tree planting, Mr. Trebucq expressed pleasure in visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and share in the activities to mark UN Day.The UN Resident Coordinator reiterated the UN’s commitment to “this lovely nation”.He added that the UN continues to enjoy fruitful relations with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and congratulated this country for its leadership on the global stage and in the UN.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Saboto Caesar, said the celebration of UN Day comes at a time of overwhelming challenges in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and around the world. Minister Caesar commended the UN for its hard work over the years. He added that the young people of SVG, the region, and the world are the beneficiaries of this hard work.
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Montgomery Daniel described UN Day as a great day. Minister Daniel expressed his happiness that Trebucq and his team visited SVG to celebrate UN Day. He acknowledged the role and importance of the UN to “our country”.The Deputy Prime Minister used the opportunity to commend the UN and congratulated its founding fathers for their vision.
The tree planting ceremony saw participation from other UN bodies in the country:Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Country Coordinator La Fleur Quammie.