In the Caribbean, a thick layer of volcanic ash has settled over the island of Saint Vincent, after a long-dormant volcano erupted earlier this month. More than 20,000 people have been evacuated and are in urgent need of food, water, clothing and shelter. On Monday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves appealed to the U.N. Security Council for help.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves: “Please help Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in its midnight hour of need. … Nearly one-fifth of the island’s population has had to be evacuated to safer areas — a monumental challenge of humanitarian relief.”