India Donate Hurricane Relief Supplies to SVG

29^th October, 2024

The Government of India has donated approximately US$ 1 million (US$1,000,000) in hurricane relief supplies to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Speaking on Tuesday, 29^th October at a handing over ceremony held at the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), Old Montrose, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, H.E. Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta, High Commissioner of India to SVG, said the first shipment of relief supplies, totalling 65 tonnes, have arrived in SVG, with another shipment expected to arrive soon.

H.E. Prasad Gupta said the supplies consist sleeping bags, personal hygiene kits, tarpaulins, and other items.             

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Frederick Stephenson also addressed the ceremony. He expressed gratitude to the Government and people of India for the donation of hurricane relief supplies.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said India and SVG has enjoyed a longstanding bilateral relationship since diplomatic relations were established in September 1981. Stephenson cited examples such as the Indian Grant Assistance totaling $US$200,000 for the implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIP), which led to the restoration and repairs of the Bequia Community Market, completed on December 11th, 2020; (ii) construction of the Chateaubelair Agricultural Processing and Training Facility, completed in December 2022; (iii) construction of the Glenside Recreation Center, completed in August 2022, and (iv) refurbishment of the Calder Community Center, completed in September 2023.

Director at NEMO, Michelle Forbes in her remarks expressed thanks to the Government of India for responding to the needs list generated by the disaster management organisation following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on 1^st July, 2024. Forbes welcomed the donation from India, noting that four months after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, relief supplies are still being sent to the Southern Grenadines on a weekly basis, where disaster response, recovery and reconstruction efforts are ongoing.

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