NEMA Monitoring Volcanic Situation In St. Vincent

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 30th,  2020 (ZIZ News) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been monitoring the developing situation at the Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent, through contact with the National Emergency Management Organization there.

This according to National Disaster Coordinator at NEMA Abdias Samuel who said contact has also been made to member states of the Caribbean Disaster management Agency (CDEMA).

“I’ve also been in communication with CDEMA and our wider CDEMA member states as the regional response mechanism has been placed on the alert. What that means is all the necessary branches that make the regional response mechanism work, has been placed on the alert to be able to respond if it becomes necessary to do so,” he said.

He further noted, “The Attorney General Hon. Vincent Byron Jr. as the chair of the Ministerial Council for CDEMA, has been in close dialog with the executive director of CDEMA Elizabeth Riley who has notified him of the intent of CDEMA to mobilize if necessary to assist with the evacuation of any citizen that may be under any threat of the eruption.”

Mr. Samuel noted that Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris has reached out to Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and expressed the federation’s intent to give support to the country if the need arises.

He outlined what that support may entail.

On Tuesday, a warning was issued for La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as officials reported tremors, strong gas emissions, formation of a new volcanic dome and changes to its crater lake.

According to Mr. Samuel approximately 16 to 20 thousand residents will need to be evacuated if there is a major eruption.