One hundred and twenty- five (125) residents of the communities of Sandy Bay and Overland benefited from a three-month Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project (VEEP) Life Skills initiative.
The programme, which provided training support to people living in the red, orange and yellow zones ended on February 24th, 2023. Two graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously on March 2nd for participants from Sandy Bay/Overland at the Sandy Bay Seventh-Day Adventist church, while 87 participants graduated from the Owia/Fancy Cohort.
Parliamentary Representative for the North Windward Constituency, Hon. Montgomery Daniel described the past two years as a very challenging period for residents in the red zone, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruptions of La Soufriere. Minister Daniel said consequently, the Government introduced a number of initiatives to help families in the area.
“I told the Cabinet and the I impressed on the Prime Minister, we need to ensure that there is some level of programme or programmes…to ameliorate the financial conditions in the area,” said Minister Daniel.
Facilitator of the Sandy Bay Division, Ingrid Charles thanked the World Bank and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the financial and technical support provided to ensure the program’s success. Charles said topics covered, ranged from stress management, financial and time management, personal plans, to resume and cover letters, among others.
The VEEP Life Skills component targeted people from vulnerable communities impacted by the volcanic eruption, ages 20 to 70 years. Over one thousand residents have graduated from the program to date. Participants were drawn from households with little or no income and reside in the red, orange or yellow zones.
The project is supported by the Ministry of Economic Planning and the World Bank.