Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, April 12, 2021
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
We extend our sympathy to Caribbean neighbours in St Vincent, where nearly 15 per cent of their population— 16,000 people — have been dislocated by the terrifying La Soufrière volcano.
Residents are dealing with heavy ashfall as well as small hail-like stones. The ash cloud has travelled as far as Barbados, where the national airport had to be closed for a part of the weekend due to poor visibility.
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves tearfully thanked neighbours in Grenada, as well as Antigua and Barbuda, for offering to take Vincentians into their homes.
Our own Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been in talks with Gonsalves offering our assistance.
Food For the Poor has airlifted emergency supplies to St Vincent for the evacuees and has been liaising with partners in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Lucia, who are housing the Vincentians. Donations for this cause can be sent via http://www.foodforthepoor.org/vincent.
Jamaica Highlights 