Residents gather at Chili Playing Field to collect BOSVG cards under the Government’s Volcanic Eruption Emergency Programme

A large crowd gathered at the Chili Playing Field in Georgetown on Tuesday, June 21 for the distribution of bank cards under the government’s Volcanic Eruption Emergency Programme.
And, on NBC on Wednesday June 22, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said 4000 families will benefit from the card distribution.

“One individual in every household,” Gonsalves explained.

The prime minister said that sums between $300 to $600 will be put on the cards each month, from July to December and persons in the red, orange and yellow volcano hazard zones will benefit from having the BOSVG Debit Cards.

“That is money which Camillo [Gonsalves,Minister of Finance] had negotiated with the World Bank, we borrowed the money.”

The total sum for the 4000 families is EC $11.5 million.

The prime minister indicated that government has 45 years to repay the money to the World Bank.

He said the other component of the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Programme includes training and physical infrastructure.

On Tuesday June 21, Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) cards were also distributed in Park Hill, South Rivers and Colonaire in the North Central Windward constituency.
On Wednesday, cards were distributed in Sandy Bay,Fancy, Owia, Orange Hill and Langley Park, in the North Windward constituency.

Distribution took place on Thursday in Rose Hall, Rose Bank, Troumaca and Chateaubelair.

And today Friday, June 24 the BOSVG cards will be distributed in Coulls Hill and Spring Village.

Additionally, families have been receiving one off payments of $400 from the World Food Programme and the Ministry of National Mobilisation.