Tobago's relief drive for St Vincent reaches $112,000

Tobago’s relief drive for volcano-hit St Vincent and the Grenadines amounts to more than $112,000 so far.

Providing an update on Thursday, Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) director Allan Stewart said the island has collected over 2,456 items, mostly comprising bottled water, non-perishable items and toiletries.

Stewart said corporate entities, religious bodies and non-governmental organisations are contributing to the effort.

The La Soufriere volcano erupted last Friday, some 42 years after its last eruption.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has since been receiving humanitarian aid from several Caricom member states.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves likened TT to a Good Samaritan after the Galleons Passage ferry arrived in his country with 50 soldiers, three trucks of water, food, medical supplies, hygienic kits and Red Cross personnel.

Gonsalves said he was grateful for the water, as the island’s local supply had dwindled to around ten per cent capacity.

Stewart said as of Thursday, Tobago collected 1,302 cases of bottled water and 386 non-perishable items.

“So the drive has been going excellent indeed,” he told Newsday.

But while he is extremely grateful for the support so far, Stewart appealed for more goggles, masks, buckets, safety supplies, water tanks and emergency supplies.

“Those are the items that are lagging behind.”

Stewart urged Tobagonians to continue supporting the effort.

He said items could be dropped off at the Tobago Emergency Operations Centre in Fairfield Complex, Scarborough and Tobago Disaster Relief warehouse in Signal Hill.