The leaves of my plum tree
did not glisten when wet
– Volcano Suite by Shake Keane, 1979
Even as we celebrate the legendary music and poetry of Shake Keane at the 2021 NGC Bocas Lit Fest, we are cognizant that his haunting words from Volcano Suite in 1979 are accurate descriptions for the current situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The recent and ongoing eruptions of La Soufrière volcano on the island of St Vincent have left many of its residents displaced and in need of urgent assistance.
The Bocas Lit Fest team encourages you to lend a helping hand if possible, by contributing to the relief efforts and collection drives.
Depending on where you reside, we’ve put together some of the relief efforts and contact information for some of the established organisations and groups to which you can donate.
Trinidad & Tobago
1. Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC)
Through ITNAC, you can send toiletries, baby supplies, non-perishable items, batteries, torch lights, masks, gloves, goggles and more. Donations can be made at a number of locations listed in the poster below, or via their GoFundMe account.
2. Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
The ODPM and the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government Disaster Management Unit are organising donations through the regional corporations and the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). Relief items can be dropped off at locations listed on their website.
The wider Caribbean
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
CDEMA is a regional inter-governmental agency for disaster management in the Caribbean Community, and it is currently accepting monetary donations to aid in relief efforts arising out of the La Soufrière volcanic eruption.
UK residents
UK-SVG Friendship Trust & St Vincent and the Grenadines High Commission
The UK-SVG Friendship Trust has partnered with the SVG High Commission and other partners to spearhead efforts to mobilise the Vincentian diaspora and wider UK society to respond to the active threat to lives and livelihoods since the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano.
They have started a Go Fund Me account to assist with relief efforts. If you wish to donate, please visit the Go Fund Me account.