Red Cross airlift for victims of Congo volcano eruption is underway
22 January 2002

The first two planes of an international Red Cross Red Crescent air lift operation to bring emergency assistance to people displaced by the eruption on January 17 of the Nyiragongo volcano, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have landed in Kigali. The eruption left 45 people dead and sent hundreds of thousands of residents of the city of Goma fleeing into neighbouring Rwanda. At least 30 more died when a gas station exploded on January 21, ignited by a lava flow.

The planes, sent by the Belgian and Netherlands Red Cross Societies, are carrying tents and blankets. They will be followed later today and tomorrow by several others, carrying emergency supplies donated by the French, Swiss, Belgian, Finnish, American and Spanish Red Cross Societies.

"This swift mobilization of resources from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was initiated by the original population movement out of Goma into neighbouring Rwanda", says Iain Logan, Federation Operations manager in Geneva. "Currently, joint Rwanda Red Cross, Federation and ICRC teams are assessing the situation and the needs of the population who have largely returned to Goma. It is vital we rapidly assist people who have lost everything, wherever they may be. These resources will be used as appropriate, according to our coordinated assessment with our partners. "

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ICRC is coordinating assistance to volcano victims, with support from the Congolese Red Cross, bringing them water and medical help and repairing water treatment plants in Goma. In Rwanda, Red Cross volunteers, active since the very beginning of the disaster, have been providing assistance and first aid to people both in and around the town of Gisenyi, as well as in several settlement sites on the road to Ruhengeri, where some 20,000 to 25,000 people have taken refuge.

On January 18, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an appeal for 1.5 million Swiss francs and is working in close cooperation with the ICRC to bring essential help to volcano victims.

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

In Gisenyi :
Andreï Neacsu, Siggi Soler, Information delegates, 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.