Saint Vincent and Grenadines

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1 HFA National Reports
2 National Platform:
3 HFA National Focal Point:
4 Other contacts:
5 Country profile:
6 Progress
7 Other Areas:
8 Others Documents:
9 Web Links:

HFA National Reports

National Report 2007: Unreported

National Report 2006: Unreported

National Report 2005: Unreported

National Report 2004: Unreported

National Report 2003: Unreported

National Platform:

Unreported

HFA National Focal Point:

National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)

Address: Prime Minister Office, Kingstown, St. Vincent

Phone: +1-784-456-2975 / Fax: +1-784-457-1691

Contact person: Mr. Howie Prince, Director

E-mail:nemosvg@gmail.com, hprince@caribsurf.com

Alternative contact:

Ms. Michelle Forbes, Deputy Director

Phone: 784-456-2975, 784-457-1691

E-mail: nemosvg@gmail.com

Other contacts:

Ministry of Housing and Community Development, Disaster Preparedness Office

Mr. Alwyn Cupid

P.O. Box 714, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines

Phone: (1-784) 457-2607, 456-1111/2856, fax: (1-784) 457-2476

CDERA member:

Mr Howie M. Prince, National Disaster Coordinator

Office of the Prime Minister, Kingston, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Phone: (784) 457-1426 (Temporary), E-mail:hprince@caribsurf.com

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES RED CROSS P.O. Box 431 ST. VINCENT, WEST INDIES

Country profile:

Name: St Vincent and the Grenadines

Capital: Kingstown

Independence Day: 27 October 1979 (from UK)

Population total: 118,149 (July 2007 est.)

Area: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)

Density: 302 inhab/ sq Km

Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Language: English, French patois

Ethnic Group: Black 66%, Mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 7%

Government: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar

Position in the IDH: 87°

Source: EIRD /CIA Fact Book

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.