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North & Central America and Caribbean

Montserrat (British Overseas Territory)

 Flag of Montserrat

Last reviewed: 01 October 2009

Country information

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Montserrat’s Relations with Neighbours

Montserrat is a full member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Montserrat is also a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which share a single Central Bank, the ECCB. The ECCB and the Ministries of Finance of Member States determine and monitor monetary policy for the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The UK Government encourages Montserrat to obtain maximum benefits from regional integration, including, where appropriate, through their membership of CARICOM and the OECS. Montserrat requires prior UK Government approval, in the form of an Entrustment, before undertaking international commitments.

Montserrat’s Relations with the International Community

HMG is responsible for Montserrat’s external relations.

Montserrat's relations with the UK

HMG is responsible for Montserrat’s external relations, defence and internal security. The principal point of contact is Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Governor’s Office, Government House, Montserrat.

Montserrat Government UK Representative

Mrs Janice Panton MBE
Government of Montserrat Office
180-186 Kings Cross Road
London
WC1X 9DE
Tel: 020 7520 2622
Fax: 020 7520 2624
Email: j.panton@montserratgov.org

UK Development Assistance

Montserrat has been in receipt of budgetary aid since the commencement of volcanic activity in 1995. DFID have provided close to £300m in budgetary aid and project funding. The Country Policy Plan, published in June 2004, announced the provision of a further £40m over the following three years.

Montserrat also benefits from the FCO's Overseas Territories Programme Fund (OTPF) which supports projects that contribute to capacity building, the maintenance of stability and security as well as the promotion of accountable government.

TRAVEL

Travel Advice: Montserrat

SOUFRIERE HILLS VOLCANO

The Soufriere Hills Volcano has been active since 1995, with a fluctuating level of activity. In that time, the activity has been mainly pyroclastic flows on the eastern and western flanks of the volcano. An area around the volcano, approximately two-thirds of the island, has been designated a Special Vulnerable Area and two areas around the coastline have been designated as Maritime Exclusion Zones. Between them, these cover all the areas that have been affected by pyroclastic flows or are likely to be affected.

A new Hazard Level System was introduced in August 2008. The Hazard Level System divides the southern two-thirds of Montserrat, the Special Vulnerable Area, into six zones with two Maritime Exclusion Zones. Access permission for each of these zones is dependent on the Hazard Level. The current Hazard Level is 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. Please see the Montserrat Volcano Observatory website (www.mvo.ms) for further information on the Hazard Level System and for a map showing the zones in the Special Vulnerable Area. Leaflets and maps are also available in the arrivals hall at John A Osbourne Airport. You should ensure that you take a copy of these leaflets on arrival.


Access restrictions to zones in the Special Vulnerable Area vary depending on the current Hazard Level. To enter controlled access areas, you will require a police licence from the Royal Montserrat Police Force. The initial request for a licence should be made at the Salem Police Station and should contain the reasons why access is being requested.

Background

On 18 July 1995, the Soufriere Hills volcano in the south of the island became active for the first time in 350 years. By April 1996, increased pyroclastic activity had forced the evacuation of the capital Plymouth and most of the south of the island. Eruptions increased in vigour until a large explosion on 17 September 1996 destroyed a village to the east of the volcano; the village had been evacuated. The situation changed dramatically for the worse on 25 June 1997 when a large pyroclastic flow led to the deaths of 19 people in an area long designated as unsafe. In the following months, the centre of Plymouth, the capital, was largely destroyed by pyroclastic flows. The largest pyroclastic flow so far occurred on Boxing Day 1997, destroying several villages in the Exclusion Zone. A major eruption occurred on 12/13 July 2003 following a collapse of a dome. Heightened volcanic activity between December 2008 and January 2009 resulted in temporary evacuation of some unsafe areas. The volcano is currently in a state of 'pause' but there could be little or no warning of a resumption in activity.

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Contacts

Montserrat, Brades, The Governor's Office

Address:

The Governor's Office
Farara Plaza
Brades
Montserrat

Telephone:

(1) (664) 491 2688/9 Office

(664) 491 6124 Governor's Residence

Fax:

(1) (664) 491 8867

Email: Govoffice.Montserrat@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Fri: 1200-2000

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1600

Website: http://ukinmontserrat.fco.gov.uk