St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was moved to tears as he expressed deep gratitude for the way in which the Caribbean region has stepped up to offer support in wake of the eruption of La Soufriere.

During a press briefing on Friday, Dr. Gonsalves- who has served as Prime Minister since 2001, said Vincentians are doing their best to hold things together, adding that the support from brothers and sisters across the region helps to make things easier.

“You know I must tell you,” PM Gonsalves said, removing his glasses to wipe away tears, “the way in which people in St Vincent and the Grenadines and in ordinary people, and in Grenada and in Dominica, St Lucia, and Antigua, have responded to put people in their homes…strangers. Bring tears to my eyes. I love this Caribbean.” 

La Soufreire erupted at 8:41 on Friday morning, tightening the race to get people living in the Red and Orange zones evacuated to safety in the shortest possible time. 

Several CARICOM nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and Grenada, have offered to accept evacuees from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, evacuees must have at least received their first Covid-19 dose- a requirement PM Gonsalves said was “reasonable” for these times.

Testing will also be amped up in an effort to get people to safety in the shortest possible time.