NEMO statement on allegations of hoarding of bed mattresses

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) is aware of statements circulating  on social media in which accusations of the hoarding of bed mattresses have been leveled at the  organization. 

This follows the visit by the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Susan Dougan to the NEMO  Warehouse at Campden Park on Monday, 3rd May, 2021. During her visit, photographs of  mattresses being stored at the warehouse were taken and disseminated by local media who had  accompanied Her Excellency on her tour of the facility. This display has resulted in widespread  social media allegations that NEMO is engaging in the hoarding of bed mattresses and supplies  meant for evacuees throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

NEMO categorically deny these allegations and present the facts as follows.

⮚ Distribution of mattresses is an ongoing process. 

⮚ To date, some fifteen hundred (1500) mattresses have been delivered to the eighty-six (86)  shelters that have been activated. Initially, cots were supplied, but most of these have now been replaced. 

⮚ Five hundred and fifty (550) mattresses were delivered to families over the past few days. 

⮚ A 40ft container of mattresses bought through the Ministry of Finance and Economic  Planning was received on Friday, April 30, off loaded on Saturday, May 1 and delivered  mainly to persons in private shelters. 

⮚ The mattresses seen in the photos being circulated with the Governor General in the  background were received late on Saturday, May 1 and are single mattresses which are  being distributed upon request. 

⮚ Today’s delivery of mattresses was hampered by the inclement weather but efforts to  distribute mattresses to those in need continues in earnest. 

NEMO wishes to assure the public that it has no interest in withholding supplies necessary for the  comfort of those who have been displaced due to the eruption of the La Soufriére Volcano. NEMO  and its stakeholders will continue to coordinate the response to this national emergency in  accordance with humanitarian principles.