On April 9, the La Soufriere volcano erupted, causing the evacuation of thousands from surrounding villages in St. Vincent. We will provide immediate assistance to LGBTQ+ evacuees affected by the volcanic eruption and already battling with COVID-19 and discrimination in a region where they are criminalised. Our relief assistance will include food packages, clean water, hygiene kits, sanitary products, clothing, heavy-duty face masks, relocation and housing support.
LGBTQ+ and PLHIV, already on the margins, face particular barriers in accessing shelter, food, medical and other assistance during emergencies. With many displaced after the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, LGBTQ+ and PLHIV can fall though the cracks or feel forced to hide their status, sexuality and/or gender identity to access help or avoid discrimination.
ECADE will co-ordinate with partners on the ground in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Dominica and Saint Lucia to provide emergency assistance to LGBTQ+ persons who have been evacuated from their homes. This will bolster efforts by eastern Caribbean governments already mobilised to shelter, feed and clothe thousands in need. This project will also provide relocation and housing support, care services, mobile credit for emergency communication and *safe spaces* for those most-at-risk.
The discrimination faced by PLHIV and LGBT+ people in a criminalised environment does not dissipate during an emergency. This is of utmost urgency especially this time with the COVID-19 pandemic still a problem. This fund will prevent many LGBTQ+ people from going back into the closet in order to access emergency assistance and will improve, safety and well-being. It will also strengthen the network of advocacy organisations and their connections to the community.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
