This was announced by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who said that the Ministry of Transportation and Works in conjunction with the Water and Sewerage Department will be coordinating the shipment.

There has been water shortage following the eruption of La Soufriere volcano on April 9, 2021, as ash and dust have contaminated potable water supplies.

Premier Fahie said the BVI Red Cross, along with the Family of Rotary Clubs, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the Lions Club, the Office of the Honorary Consul of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association along with several church organizations are also collaborating to provide humanitarian relief and support the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

BVIPA & DDM working to dispatch water by next week - Premier Fahie

“We are also looking into exploring the possibility of sending water in the holding tank of the barge which will be transporting the supplies. The coordination of the logistics around the dispatch of a mobile Water Desalination Plant is also underway,” Hon Fahie said in the House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola on April 15, 2021.

He said the authorities will be coordinating efforts with the BVI Ports Authority at Port Purcell and the Department of Disaster Management to ensure that the vessel can be packed and dispatched by next week.

According to the Premier, “Collection of Supplies on Tortola is taking place from 14th - 20th April and is also scheduled to take place on the Sister Islands. The vessel is scheduled to depart Port Purcell on Wednesday 21st April for Virgin Gorda, where additional supplies would be collected, the Vessel will set sail on the 24th for arrival in St Vincent and the Grenadines on the 26th April 2021.”

The Premier said the BVI Red Cross, Family of Rotary Clubs, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the Lions Club, the Office of the Honourary Consul of St Vincent and the Grenadines and, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Association, along with several church organisations, are also collaborating to provide humanitarian relief and support the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The first relief efforts from the Virgin Islands to the people of St Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ravaged by the La Soufrière volcano, will come in to the form of water.

Cash donations preferred

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage persons to get involved and support the Relief Efforts, whether it is with a civic organisation, or church group, or individually. Everyone is encouraged to make a contribution to the relief effort and share the BVI Love with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in St Vincent and the Grenadines at this most difficult time,” the Premier urged.

He noted that sending personal packages is not encouraged at this time, and will not be helpful to the overall relief efforts on the ground.

“In light of this, I want to appeal to persons who wish to make cash donations. The logistical arrangements of deploying cash gifts are much less strenuous than physical contributions at this time. This mode of giving would also go a long way in supporting the local economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the premier said, in urging persons to contact the Department of Disaster Management by calling 468-4200 to get further details on how to give to the St Vincent National Disaster Relief Fund.