Some people think: "People can leave the island and go elsewhere."

Easier said than done:

Where can these people go and who wants to take them? Maybe more importantly, many of the people of Montserrat do not want to leave their island.

Britain and neighbouring Caribbean islands like Antigua have offered temporary refuge to the people that have wanted to leave. It has been a difficult decision for the islanders to make, as they do not want to become refugees in another country and have to adjust to a new way of life.

As Priscilla Allen, a frail 63 year old said: "I'd like to go to England but I don't know anybody and don't have any money to live on". Instead Priscilla, like others, has preferred to evacuate to the neighbouring island, Antigua. Unfortunately, Antigua is itself a small island and is finding it difficult to accommodate these extra people and does not have all the supplies and resources to do so. To understand the problem facing Antigua, consider that the influx is comparable to London having to cope with a million new inhabitants!

However, one of the main reasons why people have not left the island is simple - Montserrat is home to 7,000 people, who are very patriotic. It is a small community where everyone knows each other, and most do not want to leave this community and their beautiful island behind. The words of chief immigration officer Sergeant Kenneth Winspeare sums up why people do not want to leave:

"I can never find a place on earth that I will love like this".

The facts:

Montserrat is one of Britain's thirteen colonies, now called 'Dependent Territories' (see page 4). Inhabitants of the island voted to remain a dependency of Britain in 1966. These 'Territories' receive different types of support from Britain, like financial support to their national budgets, technical help to develop their urban and rural areas, medical expertise etc. But, they do not represent a massive drain on the UK's resources.

Some of the 'Territories' like Montserrat are too small and too remote to sustain themselves and can be easily ignored by the rest of the world. It is during critical times like this that Britain is asked to recognise its obligation and duty to help, especially in the form of practical support, medical supplies, food etc.

This does not mean that Montserrat does not try to help and sustain itself. It is known to have a relatively high standard of living when compared to the other Caribbean islands. In spite of its environmental disadvantages, it has taken advantage of its tourism industry and encouraged multinational companies to invest in the island.

But consider this:

There are many factors to be taken into account when allocating aid to different countries and different situations such as humanitarian crises. How much is enough and how should these decisions be taken?

As British Dependent Territory citizens, the islanders are entitled to British aid and support. The islanders have been offered two options: Either

• to relocate to a neighbouring Caribbean island and receive £3,500 and £600 per child; or
• to relocate to the UK and receive full rights to state benefit and accommodation for a period of two years.

During these two years, a new citizenship law created for colonials will be suspended for the islanders. This law normally does not allow British citizens from 'Dependent Territories' the right to free movement or access to benefit and financial aid in the UK. There is no plan after the two year period. The islanders do not know what benefits they will still be entitled to.

Many islanders believe that this second option does not provide them with enough money to exist on or enough security for the future. They will have to buy clothes, furnishings, etc. for their new homes when they arrive here. Many will come with nothing, maybe just a suitcase, as they lost most if not all of their possessions when the volcano erupted.

Over recent months the citizens of Montserrat have expressed anger and frustration, believing Britain had fallen short of its responsibilities. In addition to the relocation options, Britain has now pledged to help rebuild Montserrat and construct a new capital in the northern safe zone to replace Plymouth. Many Montserratians are waiting to see whether the British government will keep its promise to develop the unaffected north of the island, including the building of new homes.