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Standing in solidarity with residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the midst of repeated eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano, and encouraging Philadelphians to offer their support in whatever ways they can.
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WHEREAS, After several months of increased volcanic activity, on Friday, April 9, the La Soufrière volcano on the island of St. Vincent erupted twice, marking the first time in four decades that this volcano has exploded. Ash and smoke covered the area surrounding the volcano, and smaller explosions occurred throughout the day; and
WHEREAS, On both Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13, La Soufrière had two additional explosions. Experts have warned that eruptions could continue for days, and possibly weeks; and
WHEREAS, 16,000 Vincentians live in an area that the government has designated the ‘red zone,’ meaning that they have been asked to evacuate immediately. While thousands of residents have already evacuated, many more remain; and
WHEREAS, The island is running out of medical supplies and water, and electricity is limited. People, crops, and animals are at risk from the ash, smoke, and debris. Hospitals, already under stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, are facing an influx of patients due to smoke and ash inhalation; and
WHEREAS, Experts expect that the country will require hundreds of millions of dollars to recover from the damage caused by these eruptions. Neighboring countries and the World Bank have contributed supplies and funding, but Vincentians can use all the support they can get; and
WHEREAS, For generations, immigrants from St. Vincent and elsewhere in the Caribbean have chosen the United States, and Philadelphia in particular, to start a new life - often leaving behind their loved ones in pursuit of meaningful opportunities to work, thrive, and prosper. Today it’s estimated that there are over 74,000 Caribbean immigrants in Philadelphia, where Caribbean businesses and restaurants add vibrancy to our neighborhoods. The Caribbean community in Philadelphia is very concerned about their relatives and loved ones in their home country, and want to see them remain healthy and safe; and
WHEREAS, There are a variety of ways for Philadelphians to support Vincentians struggling as a result of this natural disaster, whether by donating money, sending supplies, or sharing information on this situation through their networks; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby stand in solidarity with residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the midst of repeated eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano, and encourage Philadelphians to offer their support in whatever ways they can.
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