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Caribbean L 8 ife, FEB. 26-MAR. 4, 2021
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the US Howie Prince.
Photo by Nelson A. King
Vincentian groups
launch relief efforts
By Nelson A. King
As St. Vincent and the Grenadines is
experiencing what has been described as
“unprecedented circumstances” that have
“uprooted the daily lives” of nationals, several
Vincentian groups in the Diaspora have
sprung to action to aid the homeland.
In this nexus, on Feb. 5, Consul General
to the United States, Howie Prince took the
initiative in reviving the Brooklyn-based
SVG Relief, Inc. with the election of a new
executive to spearhead relief activities in
the US.
And, on Saturday, “a group of concerned
Vincentians scattered across the Diaspora,”
calling themselves SVG Disaster Relief Initiative
Platform (SVG-DRIP), launched a
virtual platform, stating that “our beloved
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is currently
facing a multi-dimensional crisis — coping
with COVID-19, dengue fever and the recent
effusive eruption of La Soufriere volcano.”
Prince told Caribbean Life that SVG
Relief, Inc. was established in 2013 under
the leadership of his predecessor, Selmon
Walters, “to mobilize the USA Diaspora to
prepare for and to respond to emergencies
and disasters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
At the Feb. 5 general meeting, prominent
community activist and leading cultural
figure, Verna Arthur, was elected chairperson,
with retired registered nurse Celia
Bramble serving as vice chairperson; lawyer
Narissa Morris as treasurer; Ancilla Friday
as secretary; and Atiba Williams as public
relations officer.
Prince said SVG Relief, Inc. was “very
successful in relief mobilization for disasters
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
including the provision of two 40ft. containers
of emergency supplies and US$20,000
consequent on the devastating floods of
December 2013.”
In a letter, over the weekend, to Vincentian
groups in the US, Arthur noted that
“over the years, SVG Relief, Inc. has come
to the aid of our brothers and sisters in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines in their
times of need; and, on every occasion, you
responded at a moment’s notice.
“We are once again issuing a clarion
call as our homeland is experiencing some
unprecedented circumstances, which have
uprooted the daily lives of our brothers and
sisters,” she said. “Your support is imperative
in helping them move forward.
“From every perceivable angle, COVID-
19, dengue fever and the effusive eruption
of La Soufriere volcano have, undoubtedly,
caused major anxiety in SVG,” Arthur
added. “The uncertainty of not knowing
when things will get back to some sort of
normalcy is troubling.
“COVID-19 is challenging to all, but
some more than others,” she continued.
“Some of you have lost loved ones, and
others are unemployed. Yet, despite your
personal plights, you still find time to lend
a helping hand.
“A thousand thanks are not enough,”
Arthur said. “We remain grateful and humble
by your kindness and generosity.”
She said that the local National Emergency
Management Organization (NEMO)
has identified severalitems that are currently
needed and that her group will be
concentrating on the first five, listing them
as surgical masks; KN95 masks; personal
protective equipment (PPEs); respiratory
masks; and cots and mattresses (full and
double).
The drop-off point for items in New York
is: Standard Shippers, 950 Ditmas Ave.,
Brooklyn.
Arthur said SVG Relief, Inc. is also
available for the picking up of items,
and that community activist O’Brien
Simmons (347-446-1827), an executive
with the umbrella Vincentian group in
the US, Brooklyn-based Council of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, U.S.A.,
Inc. (COSAGO), should be contacted in
this regard.
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