Volcano eruption in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines shocks agriculture sector

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nerissa Gittens, provided an update on the impact of the recent volcanic activity during a meeting with representatives from FAO, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The briefing was arranged by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) representation to the European Union and facilitated by the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels.

The massive eruption of the volcano La Soufrière in April had a major impact on agriculture and food security. Villages were covered in ash, crops and livestock were destroyed, and residents have been displaced and left with limited access to clean drinking water.

The United Nations has launched a USD 29 million appeal in support of the island and FAO is providing support to farmers affected by the crisis, in close coordination with the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.