Member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) expressed solidarity with St Vincent and the Grenadines and the French territory of Martinique on Thursday (December 31) as both islands observe increased volcanic activity.

The OECS Authority, in a statement on Friday (January 1) said it convened an emergency virtual meeting to discuss the particular challenges experienced by both St Vincent and Martinique, given the recent effusive eruptions at La Soufrière volcano, as well as, continued concerns of seismic activity from Mount Pelée.

The OECS Authority indicated it received a summary report from Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonzalves, detailing the situation in St Vincent and the events which led to the subsequent elevation of the alert level from ‘green’ to ‘orange’, on Tuesday, December 29.

“OECS member states pledged over 3,000 rooms for accommodation and would continue to assess their accommodation capacities should more rooms be needed to be made available, as they remained on standby, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Member states pledged [the] support of personnel, air, sea and land transportation among offers of practical assistance,” the statement continued.

A summary report on the Mount Pelée situation in Martinique was also heard by the OECS Authority, following communication sent earlier in the month.

Martinique was currently at a ‘yellow’ alert level as of December 4, due to a resurgence of activity on the Mount Pelée volcano.

According to teams monitoring the deadly volcano, activity on Mount Pelée began in April 2019, recorded at 10 kilometres below sea level, a situation which scientists have said will result in the surfacing of magmatic fluid.

“There has been an increase in seismic activities as of November 2020 and research is continuing to determine the process and the origin of the signals and the actual evidence of more developments. The authority remains on standby and in total and absolute solidarity with Martinique in this regard,” the regional body noted.

See related story below:

The high-profile meeting saw the attendance of OECS Chairman and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Premier of Montserrat Joseph Farrell; St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet; Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; Premiers of the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla respectively,
Andrew Fahie and Dr Ellis Webster; as well as Diana Perran, Vice President of the Regional Council, Guadeloupe.

Director-General of the OECS Commission Dr Didacus Jules and member commissioners from Antigua, Grenada, Montserrat, St Lucia, Dominica, BVI and Martinique also graced the meeting.