As an initial response to the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 17, which has destroyed at least 80 per cent of the town of Goma and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee, 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 health of the refugees is of particular concern to us, since the fumes spewed out, with the ash from the volcano, are sulphuric 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.
Official sources in Rwanda say that so far 45 people are confirmed dead. It is estimated 300,000 people have fled Goma and sought refuge in Gisenyi and surrounding areas, on the Rwandan side of the border, just a short distance away. Active since the very beginning of the disaster, 1,000 Rwanda Red Cross volunteers have been providing assistance and first aid to people terrified by the events. "Goma doesn't exist anymore" say volunteers, having witnessed the almost total destruction of the town on an initial assesment mission.
Although the volcano appears to have settled for the moment, another lava flow is threatening the town of Gisenyi, and Red Cross volunteers are currently persuading refugees to leave the area to walk to three other refugee camps, situated around 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, 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 Secretary General of the Rwanda Red Cross, Mr. Alphonse Kalinganire, comments that the effect of the moving populations settling at the roadside and in public areas could be catastrophic. "The sanitary situation is becoming precarious, especially regarding drinking water. The problem is becoming acute. If the situation is not addressed immediately then there is a real risk of epidemics spreading quickly," he said.
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. Several Red Cross relief flights are in preparation, coordinated through the Federation, with the first leaving on Sunday 20 January.
For the affected population the need for such rapid response is vital. "The eruption of the Nyiragongo has caused immense material losses and the situation could well deteriorate rapidly if something is not done right away," Alphonse Kalinganire added.
Related Links
19 Jan 2002 - Red Cross appeal for victims of volcano eruption in Congo - Press Release
18 Jan 2002 - DR Congo: Volcanic eruption - Preliminary Emergency Appeal
17 Jan 2002 - DR Congo: Volcanic eruption - Information Bulletin no. 1