By Laura Garrioch | Emergency Programs Officer
On April 9, 2021, La Soufrière Volcano on Saint Vincent began erupting. The eruption caused ash to fall across the island, damaging buildings and crops, contaminating water sources, and causing over 20,000 people to have to leave their homes. The ash also poses a significant health risk and can cause severe complications if inhaled. The volcano continued to erupt well into April causing more people to be displaced, and a large ash cloud to fall over Saint Vincent and the surrounding islands. As well, the island saw significant rainfall, causing flooding and mudslides in some areas, and further exacerbating the effects of the ash.
GlobalMedic responded to this disaster since April and our operations are now wrapping up. We sent 3,688 Family Emergency Kits all containing a water purification solution, hygiene items and solar lights. We prepared and sent 11,860 Emergency Food Kits filled with a pantry of multiple culturally appropriate staple ingredients. We also distributed over 252,000 diapers and 42,750 masks as additional support for those affected by the eruption.
Our RescUAV Team is deployed to Saint Vincent and are using drones to provide high quality mapping and imagery of the damage caused by the volcanic eruption. These maps will be useful tools for rebuilding and recovery plans.
By Jamie Cross | Emergency Programs Manager
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