Vincentian volcano victims
Donation protected
Of necessity and for their own safety, many thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes who were living near the volcano. These obviously include very young children and the elderly. They have been housed in temporary accommodation and current reports indicate water shortages because of volcanic ash contamination. There are also electricity failures resulting from the volcano eruptions. Unfortunately, these are far from ideal conditions necessary to prevent the spread of the covid virus and the latest scientific assessments indicate that the eruptions could continue for weeks if not months.
One of the major concerns for many of the poorer temporary displaced families is that their homes are basic structures of cement blocks, timber and galvanised roofing. The were not built to withstand these volcanic eruptions with their accompanying ground tremors. It will be necessary in many instances to rebuild when they eventually return to their land plots. Many will need financial support at this critical juncture to ensure they have at least a roof over their head as they begin again to get back to some semblance of normality – food on the table, education for the kids and of course that indespensable planning for the future that underpins family life.
I am a 77-year-old lay volunteer who has spent the last five years on the island of St Vincent. My return after a brief visit home to Galway last year was hampered because of Covid-19. In my absence, I have given an undertaking to a priest friend of mine on the island who was appointed by the local bishop to distribute relief funds as well as to another volunteer Irishman who has worked among the poor and needy on the island for the last fourteen years that I would appeal to the Irish for support in this time of extreme need. In reality however this undertaking is for the VINCENTIAN VOLCANO VICTIMS who are dependent on our support.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Anything you can give will be valued by the appreciative people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
One of the major concerns for many of the poorer temporary displaced families is that their homes are basic structures of cement blocks, timber and galvanised roofing. The were not built to withstand these volcanic eruptions with their accompanying ground tremors. It will be necessary in many instances to rebuild when they eventually return to their land plots. Many will need financial support at this critical juncture to ensure they have at least a roof over their head as they begin again to get back to some semblance of normality – food on the table, education for the kids and of course that indespensable planning for the future that underpins family life.
I am a 77-year-old lay volunteer who has spent the last five years on the island of St Vincent. My return after a brief visit home to Galway last year was hampered because of Covid-19. In my absence, I have given an undertaking to a priest friend of mine on the island who was appointed by the local bishop to distribute relief funds as well as to another volunteer Irishman who has worked among the poor and needy on the island for the last fourteen years that I would appeal to the Irish for support in this time of extreme need. In reality however this undertaking is for the VINCENTIAN VOLCANO VICTIMS who are dependent on our support.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Anything you can give will be valued by the appreciative people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Organizer
Fergal Redmond
Organizer
County Galway