Parts of St Vincent unrecognizable due to volcanic eruptions
A volcano on the island of St Vincent has erupted with unrelenting fury for over two weeks, and now residents don't even recognize their home.
It has been 42 years since La Soufrière volcano - French for a sulphur outlet - erupted.
For months, La Soufrière threatened to erupt, and scientists warned residents to prepare to flee at any moment.
The government coordinated with cruise ship companies to begin ferrying people from the "red zone", where catastrophic destruction was expected.
Then, at 8.51 am on April 9, the National Emergency Management announced La Soufrière had erupted.
It has been 42 years since La Soufrière volcano - French for a sulphur outlet - erupted.
The 4247m stratovolcanoes are now making up for a lost time, blasting ash and debris miles into the air and neighbouring islands.
Thanks to the early evacuations, officials said, there have been no deaths or injuries reported due to the eruption.
But more than 7000 residents have taken refuge in government-run shelters, and a greater number are staying with friends or family, said Mr Gonsalves, the left-leaning, Bible-quoting prime minister of the island chain who goes by the nickname "Comrade Ralph."
With more than 10 percent of the island chain's 110,000 residents at least temporarily homeless, the local government does not have the resources to address all the needs, he said.
As the volcano continues to spew ash and pyroclastic flow, a deadly mixture of superheated gases, rock and mud, the ongoing danger has complicated efforts to deliver aid.
"It's not like a hurricane where you get hit, and it's over," said Britnie Turner, the CEO of Aerial Recovery Group, a disaster management company bringing in supplies from the US.
The pandemic has also hurt efforts to help Vincentians impacted by the volcano, she said.
Mr Gonsalves said the government estimates that the volcano has already inflicted more than $100 million in damage in the last two weeks, with much more likely to come as scientists predict the volcanic activity could last for four months.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and even if St Vincent is spared a direct hit, the heavy summer rains pose a new danger.
Mr Gonsalves said the disaster his country is facing might only be beginning. He said he had written President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for assistance.
"It's not going to be an easy struggle, but we are not a people of lamentations," he said.
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