SVG receives tons of relief supplies from India

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), on Tuesday, October 29, 2024,received a large quantity of hurricane relief supplies from the Government of India. At a ceremony held at NEMO’s parking lot,Old Montrose, the official transfer was made of the initial batch of hurricane relief supplies which arrived on September 27, 2024, from India.

The shipment included 3,000 sleeping mats; 1,300 sleeping bags; supplies of toiletries, including toothpaste, shampoo, soaps, toothbrushes, towels, and diapers for adults and children. Representing the people and government of India was High Commissioner, Subhash Prasad Gupta, who noted that an additional 54 tons of relief items left India on Monday, October 28, 2024,and are expected to arrive in SVG by January next year.

“The coming goods consist of the generator set- the 30kVA, solar light and panels, so those kind of heavy material, we are getting through the ship.”

The second shipment is expected to include three 30 kVA generators; 3,000 tents; 5,000 tarpaulins; and solar lamps. Director of NEMO, Michelle Forbes, noted that one of thesegenerators possesses sufficient power to supply a school.

Gupta, who was appointed High Commissioner to SVG on Friday, October 11, 2024, disclosed that, in total, SVG will receive nearly 65 tons of relief supplies valued at approximately US$1 million.

Forbes made remarks on behalf of NEMO, and related that since the impact of Hurricane Beryl four months ago, life on the mainland may seem “okay”; however, in the Southern Grenadines, they are still responding to over 4,000 households in Union Island, Canouan, Mayreau, and the resort islands- Petit St Vincent and Palm Island.

“Weekly, we send about 3,000 cases of water because we know that water is fragile on the islands, and we continue to make reconstruction and recovery efforts in all aspects,” which Forbes explained includes housing, access to water and electricity, in addition to other commodities on the islands.

She emphasised that as a preventative measure, governments, and organisations responsible for receiving relief supplies must refocus their strategies concerning disaster preparedness in the Caribbean, considering the increasing frequency of such events. Instead of primarily concentrating on disaster response, she argued for a greater focus on establishing a strong recovery framework to effectively mitigate disaster impact.

In conclusion, she expressed gratitude to the people and government of India for their contributions.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs, Fredrick Stephenson, acknowledged the nation of India for its timely provision of relief supplies, notwithstanding the challenges it faced.

In September this year, India recorded rainfall levels 11.6 per cent higher than the monthly average, following previous increases of 9 per cent and 15.3 per cent above average in July and August, respectively. The Foreign Affairs Minister, pointed out that the rains predominantly impacted the southern states of India, resulting in loss of life and the rescue of thousands into relief camps.

“Even during this time, you still continue to offer assistance to us here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and we thank you. I want to reassure that these donations of tents, tarpaulin, solar lamps, sleeping mats, among others, will benefit persons affected as a result of the passage of the hurricane,” he remarked.

Stephenson also stated that over the years, India has played a role in SVG’s development across agriculture, health, disaster response, recovery and support, as well as sports and community development.

The ceremony was moderated by Sean Rose,who explained that building foreign relations, such as maintaining a bond with countries like India, can contribute to disaster recovery and resilience—a quality that many associate with SVG.

Rose emphasised that the government has been working diligently to address the needs of all Vincentians, including those who had lost their roofs, and those unable to work or provide food for themselves. He highlighted that the government’s ability to meet these various needs has been supported by its strong relationships with several countries.