ST. GEORGE, Antigua and Barbuda – 30th May, 2021…….On Saturday 29 May 2021, a 15- member team from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) along with 15 members from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) were deployed to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to provide law enforcement and security assistance as part of the Regional Security System (RSS) efforts to support a member state during a period of disaster.
Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Telbert Benjamin addressing the soldiers of the ABDF before their deployment to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
On April 9th, 2021, La Soufriere volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines erupted causing severe devastation to homes and agriculture. This prompted the Government of SVG to request assistance through the Regional Security System (RSS) to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) support.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the RSS in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMO) of Saint. Vincent and the Grenadines activated a Disaster Response Mechanism to support the government and the people of Saint Vincent and Grenadines.
Over the period 10 – 24 May 2021, Leading Seaman (LS) Erica Davis from the ABDF along with two members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda as members of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) provided HA/DR support in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Telbert Benjamin said that the ABDF is not only poised to assist the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, but stands ready to assist the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in time of need and will continue to support its neighbours through the Regional Security System.
