TT assists Barbados with volcanic ash clean-up

TT is sending relief items to neighbouring Barbados to assist in the clean-up of the accumulation of ash from St Vincent’s La Soufriere volcano.

In a release on Sunday, the Ministry of National Security said the devastating effects of the ash clouds from the eruptions of the volcano did not only affect St Vincent, but also extended to Barbados.

The ministry said through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), in addition to providing relief support to St Vincent and the Grenadines, cleaning items, collected with the assistance of the Trade Ministry and the TT Manufacturers’ Association, were sent to Barbados on Saturday.

The ministry said the items were transferred to the Air Guard’s Ulric Cross Air Station by the First Engineer Battalion of the Regiment, and both soldiers and airmen loaded the items, which included safety goggles, industrial brooms and coveralls, on aircraft provided by the TTAG and the Regional Security System.

The ministry said the Air Guard’s aircraft with 2,000 pounds of cargo, departed Trinidad on Saturday while the RSS aircraft departed one hour later at 2.55 pm with 2,800 pounds of cargo.

Another shipment of 1,000 pounds is expected to be sent in the next day or two, the ministry said.