9th April 2021

The Caribbean island of Saint Vincent has declared a red alert and issued an evacuation order for northern areas after seismologists warned that the La Soufrière volcano due to La Soufrière Volcano. The Volcano has been increasingly active since November. On Monday, April 5th, researchers from the University of the West Indies reported that its monitoring station had detected a “swarm of small volcano-tectonic earthquakes”, which increased steadily in magnitude. NEMO report that it has seen ash plumes of up to 8 kilometres high, and ash has also been found at that Argyle International Airport roughly 19 km to the south.

his flash update is produced by OCHA Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from December 2020 to March 2021. OCHA will continue to monitor the present situation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 29th December 2020, the alert level for the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was elevated to orange because of increased activity at the site. The volcano has had an effusive eruption, with visible gas and steam and the formation of a new volcanic dome. The volcano continues to exude magma on the surface and gas emissions can be observed from the Belmont Observatory. A UWI Seismic Research Centre team is currently in St. Vincent to support monitoring and data collection and analysis.

• An orange level alert means that there is highly elevated seismicity or fumarolic activity, or both, and other highly unusual symptoms. Eruptions may occur with less than 24 hours’ notice. Monitoring systems are continuously staffed and there is regular visual inspection of potential vent areas as well as continuous ground deformation and hydrothermal monitoring.

This flash update is produced by OCHA Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from December 2020 to March 2021. OCHA will continue to monitor the present situation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 29th December 2020, the alert level for the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was elevated to orange because of increased activity at the site. The volcano has had an effusive eruption, with visible gas and steam and the formation of a new volcanic dome. The volcano continues to exude magma on the surface and gas emissions can be observed from the Belmont Observatory. A UWI Seismic Research Centre team is currently in St. Vincent to support monitoring and data collection and analysis.

• An orange level alert means that there is highly elevated seismicity or fumarolic activity, or both, and other highly unusual symptoms. Eruptions may occur with less than 24 hours’ notice. Monitoring systems are continuously staffed and there is regular visual inspection of potential vent areas as well as continuous ground deformation and hydrothermal monitoring.

• On April 12, 2021, NEMO reported that at approximately 4:15 am, the dome had collapsed, and pyroclastic flow occurred along the valleys on the eastern and western coasts.

• Seismic activity at La Soufrière, St Vincent continued in the pattern established on April 12, 2021, with short bands of continuous seismic tremors interspersed with long-period earthquakes.

• Another explosive event occurred at 6:30 am on April 13, 2021.

• Long-period earthquakes have steadily become more frequent following the latest band of tremors at 6:30 am.

• The volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate pyroclastic density currents - hot (200°C-700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

• Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue occur over the next few days impacting St. Vincent and neighboring islands.

• The volcano activity remains at alert level Red • Prime Minister announced on April 12, 2021, that cruise ships will no longer be used to transport persons to neighboring countries. Smaller vessels will instead be used.

Kingston/Geneva, 19 April 2021– Nearly 20,000 people have been directly affected by La Soufrière volcanic eruptions in St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG). As La Soufrière volcano remains highly active, these numbers may increase in the coming weeks and months. So far, almost 1,500 families in SVG have been displaced and more than 8,000 people have been evacuated and are staying at public and private shelters. Almost all of the 110,600 residents of the island have been indirectly affected by ashfall, water restrictions and the destruction of their livelihoods. An unquantified number of people have also been affected in neighboring islands.

SVG Red Cross volunteers have been supporting the evacuation efforts, providing first aid, promoting COVID-19 prevention, and distributing water, blankets, hygiene kits and basic needs items to the sheltered families. Immediate needs include access to water, food, health care, and hygiene, as well as cleaning and COVID-19 prevention items.

In response to this crisis, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal that seeks a total of 2 million Swiss francs (CHF) to support the Red Cross Societies in SVG, Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada to deliver assistance and support for 18 months to 5,400 people. The Red Cross actions will be focused on the distribution of major household items, and providing health care, psychosocial support, essential household items and access to water, sanitation and hygiene. Protecting people’s livelihoods will also be a priority.

“We are here for the long run, we were here for the COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks, and we will be here when people go back to their homes. Upon returning, thousands of them will need support in reactivating their family economy and generating new income,” said Ariel Kestens, IFRC’s Head of Delegation for the Dutch- and English-speaking Caribbean. “Using cash and vouchers is key not only to strengthen their resilience and recovery from these overlapping emergencies but also the local economy.”

Since the initial explosive eruption on 9 April, La Soufrière has erupted several times. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has reported that explosions of similar or larger magnitude are likely to continue to occur over the next few days, resulting in ashfall affecting not just St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but also Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda. The IFRC warns that if the eruptions continue into the coming hurricane season, this could lead to an even more complex humanitarian crisis.

Media contacts

Kingston: Trevesa DaSilva trevesa.dasilva@ifrc.org + 1 876 818 8575

Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes susana.arroyo@ifrc.org + 506 8416 1771

Geneva: Ann Vaessen ann.vaessen@ifrc.org +41 79 405 77 50