BRIDGETOWN / PANAMA CITY, 11 April 2021 – Between 16,000 and 20,000 people, including children, have been evacuated due to the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last Friday.

Together with its partners, UNICEF immediately started providing humanitarian assistance to approximately 4,800 children in need, a number of them in shelters.

Moreover, more than 1,000 displaced and vulnerable families are expected to require immediate economic assistance due to the disruption of their livelihoods. A total of 62 shelters were opened on the island, hosting at least 3,200 people.

Within 24 hours after the explosion, UNICEF provided an estimated 9,000 people, including children, with access to safe water and hygiene services in the evacuation shelters. These critical supplies included collapsible water bladders, collapsible water containers, purification tablets, and dignity kits.

“Our immediate concern is the well-being and safety of not only the almost 5,000 children and their families in the immediate danger zone but those in all of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Dr Aloys Kamuragiye, UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean. “In less than 24 hours we were able to dispatch life-saving water and sanitation supplies to Saint Vincent. But more resources are required to provide humanitarian assistance to families still in need.”

Based on initial estimations, UNICEF requires more than US$900,000 to address immediate needs during the next 6 weeks, including life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as child protection services, to reach the most vulnerable among the affected children and families.

###

For more information, please contact:

Yemi Lufadeju, +44 20 7375 6199, [email protected]

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook