Challenges and Opportunities for Risk Management of Volcanic Hazards in Small-Island Developing States
Mountain research and development
; 42(2):p. D22-D31, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2065237
ABSTRACT
The explosive volcanic eruptions of La Soufrière volcano, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in April 2021 caused the displacement of thousands of people, resulting in heavy disruption of livelihoods and economic activities, destruction of critical infrastructure, and volcanic ash deposits that affected the entire mountainous island of St Vincent and the neighboring island of Barbados. The resulting triple crisis in the region included volcanological risks, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, and hydrometeorological risks due to the approaching hurricane season. This article analyzes the scientific and operational activities that The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre undertook after effusive activity was detected in December 2020, as well as the actions taken during an official response mission of the United Nations, led by the Joint Environment Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva and upon request for international environmental assistance from the Government of St Vincent. It examines the interplay and collaboration between these 2 organizations and other disaster risk reduction agencies. The article also highlights how the interconnected, systemic nature of risks and disasters emphasizes the ultimate need for regional coordination and collaboration across sectors, including scientific monitoring networks, national, regional, and international emergency preparedness and response agencies, academia, and the private sector. The presented case study for elucidating the ongoing lahar hazard at La Soufrière volcano supports a long-term view for planning and mitigation in this challenging topography. This will help to ensure that the volcanic risks in the Caribbean region are appropriately considered a major component of the multihazard approach undertaken by national authorities and scientists to manage community safety and sustainable economic development through adequate means of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.
article; volcanic hazards; La Soufrière; small-island developing states; humanitarian; multihazard; lahar; land use planning; risk sensitive; COVID-19 infection; case studies; disaster preparedness; economic development; geophysics; hurricanes; hydrometeorology; infrastructure; mountains; private sector; research and development; risk reduction; topography; volcanic ash; Barbados; Caribbean
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Mountain research and development
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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