Red Cross appeal for victims of volcano eruption in Congo
19 January 2002

As an initial response to the hundreds of thousands of people on the move, fleeing the devastation and polluted atmosphere caused by the eruption on January 17 of the Nyiragongo volcano, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an appeal for 1.5 million Swiss francs. The funds will be used to provide essential relief for up to 250,000 people - in the form of food, shelter materials, water and sanitation services as well as basic and preventive health care.

"The heath of the refugees is of particular concern to us, since the fumes spewed out, with the ash from the volcano, are sulfuric in content and could cause acute respiratory tract infections. We also must be prepared to treat burns and are putting in place measures to prevent epidemics of cholera and malaria", notes Dr. Hakan Sandbladh, Senior Officer in the Federation's Health Department in Geneva.

It is estimated some 300,000 people have fled Goma and sought refuge in Gisenyi and surrounding areas, on the Rwandan side of the border. Active since the very beginning of the disaster, some 1,000 Rwanda Red Cross volunteers have been providing assistance and first aid to people terrified by the wall of incandescent lava which destroyed at least 80% of the town of Goma.

Although the volcano seems to have calmed down for now, another lava flow is threatening the town of Gisenyi, and Red Cross volunteers are currently persuading refugees to leave Gisenyi, and to walk to three other refugee camps, situated some 20 to 25 kilometres away. These are the camps of Kamira, where some 2,000 people are housed, Nyundo, where 4,000 people have taken refuge and Rugevero, where 2,500 people are sheltered. A further estimated 5,000 refugees are in the stadium in Ruhengeri, some 80 kilometres northeast of Gisenyi.

The Rwandan Red Cross has also set up posts along the road, between Gisenyi and the camps, where volunteers are distributing high energy biscuits and water to refugees.

The International Federation has two evaluation and coordination teams on the ground, one in Gisenyi and one in Kigali and is working in close collaboration with the ICRC delegations there. Many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from around the world are beginning fundraising campaigns and mobilizing relief goods as well as personnel to assist the Rwandan Red Cross in its emergency relief operation. The first of several Red Cross relief flights are in preparation, with the first ones leaving tomorrow, and coordinated through the Federation.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Gisenyi :
Siggi Soler, Information delegate, Mobile tel : +250 0848 9203
In Geneva :
Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel.: + 41 22 730 4346 / +41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.