United States Amb. Linda Tagliatelle (center), USAID Regional Representative,
Clinton White, and Frank Cawwell, WFP head of Supply Chain in
discussion following the recent announcement of the United States government
funding during a recent tour of the Arnos Vale Logistics Hub in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines. Carol A. Gaskin/UN Resident Coordinator Offi ce
Caribbean Life, June 4-10, 2021 5
By Nelson A. King
Stating that America’s diversity is and
always has been the defining strength of
the nation, United States President Joseph
“Joe” Biden on Monday proclaimed June
National Caribbean-American Heritage
Month.
“In every generation, our society, spirit
and shared ambitions have been refreshed
by wave after wave of immigrants seeking
out their American dream,” said Biden in
a White House Proclamation. “Throughout
our history, Caribbean Americans
have brought vibrant cultures, languages,
traditions and values that strengthen our
country and add new chapters to our
common story.
“In recognition of Caribbean Americans’
countless gifts and contributions
to our nation, we celebrate National Caribbean
American Heritage Month,” he
added.
The US president said Caribbean
Americans have made America “more
innovative and more prosperous.
“They have enriched our nation’s arts
and culture, our public institutions and
our economy,” he said. “I am honored to
celebrate this National Caribbean-American
Heritage Month alongside Caribbean-
American barrier-breaking public servants
in my administration — including
Vice President, Kamala Harris, Secretary
of Homeland Security Alejandro, Mayorkas,
Secretary of Education, Miguel
Cardona, and Domestic Policy Advisor,
Susan Rice — all of whom continue to be
sources of pride and inspiration for Caribbean
Americans across the country.”
Biden said Caribbean-American intellects
and artists — such as James Weldon
Johnson, the poet who gave America the
anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; celebrated
neo-expressionist painter Jean-
Michel Basquiat; and John B. Russwurm,
the first Caribbean-American editor of
a US newspaper — “have left a lasting
impact on our country.”
By Nelson A. King
As development partners work assiduously
to assist the government and people
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to
recover and build back better from the
widespread social and economic dislocation
caused by the April 9 eruption of La
Soufriere volcano, the United Nations
has welcomed a pledge of over US$3 million
by the United States government
to its Fund Appeal launched to support
humanitarian response and recovery
efforts.
According to Resident Coordinator for
United Nations Barbados and the Eastern
Caribbean, Didier Trebucq, the cash
injection, directed through the US$29.2
million UN Funding Appeal for St. Vincent
and the Grenadines and affected
neighboring countries, will bolster ongoing
efforts in logistics, food security,
WASH and health, “which are even more
critical with the start of the 2021 hurricane
season.
“The UN has been supporting humanitarian
and recovery efforts in St. Vincent
and the Grenadines from the onset
of this crisis,” he said in a statement
on Wednesday. “As we seek to further
upscale our assistance, this can only be
possible through the continued collaboration
with our development partners.
“I am grateful for the timely and
important contribution of the US Government
to the UN appeal, which enables
the UN agencies to deliver critical lifesaving
support to the people of Saint and
the Grenadines,” Trebucq added. “I wish
to call on members of the international
community to join forces with us to help
to amplify recovery and rehabilitation
efforts in St. Vincent.”
Reiterating the United States Government’s
continued commitment to
the volcano-ravaged Caribbean nation,
US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern
Caribbean, and the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Linda
Taglialatela, said: “The United States
Government, through the United States
Agency for International Development
(USAID), is pleased to provide an additional
US$3.8 million in humanitarian
assistance for the people affected by the
eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“These funds, which will go through
the United Nations Appeal, will provide
thousands of people in St. Vincent with
emergency food assistance, access to
safe drinking water, hygiene supplies and
other critical care items,” she added.
“The United States will walk the road to
recovery with the government and people
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as
we are neighbors, partners, and friends.”
Having been working on the ground
from the outset of the emergency, providing
critical leadership in the areas of
logistics and food security, Acting Representative
for the United Nations World
Food Program (WFP) English and Dutch
Caribbean Office, Regis Chapman, said:
“USAID’s contribution allowed WFP to
swiftly activate a response to the needs
of thousands impacted by La Soufriere’s
eruption.
“By supporting the government-led
process, affected persons benefit from
improved logistics systems and infrastructure
for relief management, cash
transfers to meet food and other essential
needs and the digitalization of the immediate
response,” he said.
Dr. Aloys Kamuragiye, the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative
for the Eastern Caribbean
Area, who continues to play an integral
role in supporting Education, protection
and WASH response, added: “The funding
is critical if we are to help the children
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
come through this La Soufriere crisis
safe, secure, healthy and able to learn.
“UNICEF is working hard in several
areas – including education, early childhood
development and water, sanitation
and hygiene – to make this a reality:
improving lives and bringing hope,” he
said.
The UN said the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO) is continuing support
for health systems strengthening,
“which is vitally important, particularly
given increased risks of COVID-19.”
PAHO/World Health Organization
(WHO) Representative to Barbados and
Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Yitades
Gibre, noted: “Thanks to this USAID
grant PAHO will contribute to continued
access to life-saving and essential health
services for the people of St. Vincent
and the Grenadines, an action of utmost
importance given the health risks posed
by the COVID-19 pandemic and the start
of the hurricane season in the Caribbean.
“The health services will benefit from
urgently needed medical equipment and
critical health supplies to normalize
health care in the affected communities
including establishing early warning
systems to detect outbreaks,” Dr. Gibre
said.
To date, the UN said its Funding Appeal
is 31 percent funded, with US$9.1 million
“repurposed, mobilized and pledged.”
The UN said support has also been
received from the European Union; the
Governments of Canada, United Kingdom,
Spain, Germany, Belgium, Malta
and Australia; and the UN Central Emergency
Response Fund.
Support is being channeled to eight
critical sectors – food security; logistics;
health; WASH; shelter housing and
infrastructure; protection; education and
early recovery – the UN said.
U.S. President Joe Biden during
a news conference at the White
House, in Washington, U.S. May 21,
2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
US pledges over US$3M for
volcano-ravaged SVG
Biden proclaims
National
Caribbean-
American
Heritage Month