WASHINGTON, United States (CMC)— The World Bank is providing US$40 million for the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Washington-based financial institution said that the project is also financed by a two million US dollar grant from the European Union’s Caribbean Regional Resilience Building Facility, managed by the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.
In April this year, the La Soufrière volcano experienced explosive eruptions that damaged critical services, infrastructure, and agriculture, affecting the entire population of the island of St Vincent.
The eruption also resulted in significant population displacement, approximately 22,400 people were evacuated from areas close to the volcano, many remaining in shelters for months.
The natural disaster compounded the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating financing needs estimated at US$175 million, 23 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021.
“The people of St Vincent and the Grenadines have endured the twin shocks of the volcanic eruption and COVID-19. The project will help the country build back better while taking into account its vulnerability to natural disasters and the growing threat of climate change,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for Caribbean Countries.
“This project will support the government’s efforts to restore infrastructure, stimulate economic activity, and assist the most vulnerable in the population, particularly women. We hope that this project will be a catalyst for growth and strengthen the country’s resilience,” Burunciuc added.
