CARICOM Member States have offered to take in residents who were evacuated from their homes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as the country faces an imminent eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano.

The evacuation order was given by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, roughly three hours after he held a press briefing on the matter Thursday afternoon.

It came as geologists warn that the eruption could happen in a matter of hours or days. 

A statement from CARICOM, which is currently Chaired by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, read: 

“The scientific team from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) has been in the country constantly monitoring the volcano and rendering scientific advice to the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has been working alongside the St Vincent National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the SRC and the Regional Security System (RSS).

CDEMA has activated its regional support operation including the deployment of a specialist to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Agency is providing technical assistance to NEMO with Evacuation and Logistics Planning.

The Community stands with the Government and People of St Vincent and the Grenadines in this perilous situation.”