By Vinette K. Pryce
It is true that a global community
is rallying to provide
relief to the 110,600 nationals of
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
whose lives have been upended
since La Soufriere volcano
erupted on April 9.
“There has been an outpouring
of good Samaritans; the
people have worked together
in unity and of course the Caribbean
family has responded
in an amazing way. When I
speak of it, my eyes well up with
tears,” Prime Minister Ralph
Gonsalves said.
What is not true is that the
government there has activated
an emergency fundraising campaign
to aid nationals displaced
by the ash or those who have
refused to evacuate to refuge on
neighboring islands.
According to a statement
from leaders of the Organization
of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS) no Go Fund Me
account has been authorized by
the St. Vincent and the Grenadines
government to assist
the twin-island ashened by the
eruptions.
The leaders confirmed that
while the government is in the
process of establishing an official
Caribbean L 8 ife, APRIL 23-29, 2021
web platform that will provide
information on the emerging
needs and also update the
frequency of volcanic eruptions,
no such emergency engine has
been authorized.
“People who were willing to
donate were asked to be vigilant
and thoroughly vet the
entity to which they intended
to donate.”
The statement was issued following
an emergency summit
of the leaders of the nine-member
sub-regional grouping urging
“persons willing to provide
assistance to not fall prey to
arbitrary accounts being set up
claiming to support the Vincentian
relief efforts.”
As an advisory to diasporans
and empathetic individuals
eager to aid in easing the
Caribbean dilemma, the OECS
warned against exploiters willing
to profit from donators to
the social media platform established
to provide expeditious
relief to the needy.
GoFundMe is described as
“an American for-profit crowdfunding
platform that allows
people to raise money for events
ranging from life events such as
celebrations and graduations to
challenging circumstances like
accidents and illnesses.”
Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS
director-general, said efforts
were being made by the members
to consolidate the support
being offered to S.t Vincent and
the Grenadines with formation
of a global coalition of agencies
including international foundations,
civic organizations,
and donor sources committed
to collaborating in order to
address the unpredictable needs
of the situation.
“Over 150 organizations
have expressed interest in the
coalition,” he said. “In addition
to converging support, the global
coalition will play a key role
in undertaking an international
campaign that will include
OECS Director-General, Dr. Didacus Jules. UNCTAD
social print and electronic
media, involving major media
and communication experts
from around the world.”
CARICOM, Red Cross, University
of the West Indies, the
United Nations, and diasporan
organizations here have committed
to uniting around the
phenomenon.
No ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign
for Vincy volcano victims
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