Question 38322 — overseas

Summary

Mrs. Josette Manin alerts the Minister for Overseas Territories to the consequences of the Soufrière eruption on the main island of Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines. This natural phenomenon, whose activity is likely to last several weeks, has caused the evacuation of thousands of people and caused considerable material damage. For the moment, Martinique and Guadeloupe are spared from this disaster. However, an increase of the intensity of volcanic activity could lead to ash falling towards these territories. The direct consequences for the health of the population would be: cases of inhalation of ashes, thus causing respiratory problems; cases of irritation and sore throat accompanied by a dry cough; cases of severe bronchitis likely to last beyond exposure to ashes; cases of skin irritation and eyes caused by volcanic particles; damage to water supply systems with proven risks of contamination. Furthermore, the MP draws the Minister's attention to the risks of chain eruptions of volcanoes in the West Indian arc. Indeed, Montagne Pelée is the subject of increased surveillance due to an increase in its seismic activity. In this context, the MP wishes to know the possible measures or preventive actions that the Government could put in place with the prefect and local services in order to prepare the populations of Martinique and Guadeloupe for a similar disaster. In view of the issues raised, she considers that it would be necessary to perpetuate the mission of the interministerial delegation for major overseas risks, which will end at the end of April 2021, knowing that its skills in terms of prevention and risk management are more than necessary in the current period.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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