By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE volcanic activity of La Soufrière in St Vincent and the Grenadines erupts a new host of problems for Trinidad and Tobago students studying in Barbados who are already stranded because of national lockdown.
The eruption that caused thousands of Vincentians to be displaced, also affected neighbouring Caribbean countries causing flights re-scheduling. Caribbean countries including T&T have issued aid in the form of personnel, food items, clothing and medical supplies.
Gary Mahabir is from New Jersey in the US started the group T&T Citizens Overseas to assist stranded nationals abroad.
Shara Graham, the Coordinator for Barbados spoke with AZPNews.com about the situation in Barbados.
The country remains under Covid-19 directives with no curfew from Monday to Wednesday and curfew from Thursday to Sunday 11pm to 5am. Not all businesses are able to open to full capacity as yet and Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that there would be a national clean up.
“From driving I can see that there is much improvement in one week since the ash fall and the airport reopened to international travel from this past weekend,” Graham said.
She said about 50 persons submitted information to the group that has been assisting with groceries, other necessities and shipping. Most are presently engaged in examinations. The students all attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus and live in and around the campus.
Graham said, “Overall, everyone wants their exemption and entry into Trinidad & Tobago within the first and second week of May. This is critical due to rental agreements and budgets.”
She added, “Ash is everywhere, inside and outside. Those with allergies and respiratory conditions would be greater affected. It can’t be an easy situation with Covid, ash, anxiety associated with the closed borders and financial worry if they have to stay longer. They’re managing as best as possible.”
She said there was also a shortage of barrels on the island for the shipment of goods which she believes is due to people wanting to get supplies to St. Vincent and people using them to ship goods into the country to reduce their exposure to the virus.
One medical student told AZPNews.com who have been in Barbados since August 2020 she is hoping to have an exemption soon as she is need of medical care.
She said, “I usually have neurologist’s appointments every month, so I would have missed these appointments over the eight to nine months.”
The student is diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves.
Referring to the volcanic ash, she said, “Even though I was inside, I had bad allergic reaction to the ash. My skin, eyes are burning, I have problems breathing. There are many students who are affected.”
The group is hoping that newly appointed Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds would be more lenient in granting exemptions to critical cases.
Graham said Hinds was aware of the students’ plight and has first-hand knowledge of the struggles.
