UN stands in deep solidarity with Saint Vincent after devastating volcanic eruptions

Following a series of powerful eruptions from La Soufrière volcano on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, the UN chief expressed deep solidarity with the country’s people and Government.

“This crisis comes at the most difficult time, as the world is grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ahead of the hurricane season”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, located in the southern Caribbean, consists of more than 30 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited.

At 4,000 feet tall (1,220 metres), La Soufrière dominates the largest island, Saint Vincent.  Though silent since 1979, the volcano began spewing smoke and rumbling in December, before a full-blown eruption on 9 April.

Mr. Dujarric said that the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will announce tomorrow the release of $1 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist the response.