On Tuesday 26th January, 2021, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), hosted the first in a series of virtual community meetings aimed at sensitization and capacity building as it relates to volcanic hazards.

This first meeting centered around Georgetown, which resides in the identified "Red Zone" for activity during an explosive eruption of La Soufrière, which is currently exhibiting an effusive eruption. Titled "Eyeing La Soufrière", the meeting detailed community evacuation plans, safety measures, and the current state of the effusive eruption at La Soufriére volcano.

The Zoom call was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and a link was provided to community groups, with coverage provided by UWI TV, UWI Seismic Research Centre's (UWI SRC), Youtube channel, Facebook Live via NEMO St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and traditional media houses - NBC radio 107.5 & 90.7 FM, and VC3 channel 114.  Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves; Ms. Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO; and Dr. Richard Robertson, Geologist, UWI SRC; provided vital information and answered pertinent questions.

The Georgetown community is a major focal point for NEMO, and one of its most active communities with Volunteer Community Emergency Response Teams, a national warehouse site, and one of several areas targeted by its joint Volcano Ready Communities Project with UWI SRC.

With the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, adjusted meeting schedules and procedures are in place. As such virtual community meetings, which started on Tuesday, and messaging events, such as the RED ZONE DRIVE THROUGH, which spanned Georgetown to Magum, on Saturday 23rd 2021; are underway. These events represent the continuation of NEMO's longstanding commitment and mandate of comprehensive disaster risk management for all of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines.



SOURCE:  National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)

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