Date: April 12^th 2021

Issued by: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Community in the Cayman Islands

The SVG Community in the Cayman Islands representing the small group of Vincentian- Caymanians as well as Vincentian nationals working and living in the Cayman Islands has mobilized, and in the coming days will finalize the infrastructure to be able to accept support to assist with humanitarian aid to meet the urgent and significant needs created by the violent eruption of the La Soufriere volcano this past weekend.

The eruption has been compared to the devastating eruptions of 1902 and resulted in widespread damage to the agricultural and other sectors and has displaced thousands of Vincentians, most of whom are now living in shelters.  The eruptions can possibly continue for a period of months and the needs are expected to escalate.

The situation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and even as the Cayman Islands are facing its own struggles from COVID- 19, we are thankful for the offers of assistance from many of our friends within the Cayman Islands.  Our approach will be to seek financial assistance to purchase supplies in the USA for shipment to SVG.  We believe persons might also want to donate in kind and later on we will explore the logistics and viability of collecting and shipping these goods.

We will confirm the methods for receiving assistance publicly once finalized.