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| St Vincent
and the Grenadines |
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St
Vincent and the Grenadines is a multi island state consisting
of the main -and largest- island of St Vincent and 31 smaller
islands and cays. St Vincent is entirely volcanic, with its
highest peak being Soufrière volcano at 1234 m. This
volcano erupted in 1902, laying waste to a third of the island
and killing more than 1000 people. The last eruption, which
was far less destructive, occurred in 1979. The volcano continues
to be a threat to the island.
Another major threat to the island are tropical storms and hurricanes,
often accompanied by storm surges, floods, landslides and coastal
erosion. The most recent storms and hurricanes were hurricane
Lenny in 1999, leaving minor damage, tropical storm Lili in
2002, causing loss of life and extensive damage, and hurricane
Ivan in 2004, seriously affecting housing and banana crops.
Periods of drought are also part of the country's hazard profile.
A severe drought occurred in 2001.
The national body for multi-sector coordination is the National
Emergency Management Office (NEMO), which is part of the Office
of the Prime Minister. NEMO coordinates and -if necessary- activates
contingency plans for both national and community levels.
Hazard mitigation is laid out in the National Hazard Mitigation
Policy. Specific disaster legislation is not yet in place, but
is being drafted. A Public Awareness Programme is carried out
through the Government Information Service and is aimed at schools
and community organisations. Volcanic risk is monitored by the
Soufriere Monitoring Unit and the Seismic Research Unit of the
Caribbean.
Under the OECS/World Bank Emergency Recovery and Disaster Management
Program, funds are being allocated for river and sea defences,
realignment of key bridges and retrofitting of shelters.
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