UK vows not to force evacuation from Montserrat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Less than a fortnight after the biggest eruption so far in the current cycle of the Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat, a key British official insists that, if humanly possible, plans will go ahead to revive and redevelop the stricken Caribbean island.
"We need houses, houses and more houses," the official said yesterday. "We need low-interest mortgage schemes, and money to help small businessmen relocate" from Plymouth, the island's capital laid waste by a series of eruptions in the summer.
His remarks were intended to quell the continuing fears of many remaining Montserratians that Britain would declare the island unviable, and force them to leave their homeland for ever.
In fact a contingency plan Operation Exodus exists for the complete evacuation of the island should conditions become untenable, but the British government's position is that "as long as the island is safe, we'll remain committed to you".
Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, will visit the island next month to demonstrate that commitment.
Scientists now predict the volcano will probably remain active for the next two or three years, but that the northern third of Montserrat is safe.
But the 30 million cubic metres of ash and lava spewed forth by Soufriere Hills on Boxing Day has rendered the southern part, currently an exclusion zone into which entry is punishable with a $250 (pounds 156) fine or jail sentence, even more dangerous and uninhabitable.
Of the island's original 11,000 population, only 3,500 are left. Of these, 500 are living in temporary shelters, compared with 1,200 in October.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments