Plan, Prepare, Perform – United States Supports St. Vincent Volcano Response
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Vendors at a market in Kingstown, St. Vincent begin to shake off the dust of the La Soufriere eruption. Photo Credit: Kenton Chance, iWitness News
The U.S. government has mobilized a multi-tier, interagency approach to bring much needed relief to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced an increase of US$100,000 in disaster relief for people affected by violent eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano. Partnering with the St. Vincent Red Cross, USAID will fund the distribution of emergency food and relief supplies including hygiene kits, fuel, mattresses, and portable stoves. This announcement follows the US$40,000 in USAID assistance that fuelled vehicles to evacuate Vincentians living in the Red Zones and helped the St. Vincent Red Cross stand up their emergency evacuation centers immediately after the increased seismic activity. The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is funding US$60,000 in humanitarian assistance projects, which will deliver personal protective equipment and shelter supplies to St. Vincent. Multiple citizen organizations in the United States, including those of the St. Vincent diaspora, have also reached out to help.