Early warning system essential for Goma residents

Early warning of a future volcanic eruption in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), will be crucial to the health sector and the non-governmental agencies in the city to allow them to prepare for a mass exodus of its residents, says a new report prepared for the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The absence of civil institutions and administrative structures in the city and region - governed by a rebel group, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma)- prevent long-term planning on behalf of the population, the report says.

"This social dysfunction substantially adds to the danger to the population from future eruptions," it says.

There are two main hazards of immediate concern in a future eruption: either a lava eruption from fissures located within 1 km to 2 km from the shore of Lake Kivu; or an eruption in the lake which could lead to the widespread release of an asphyxiating gas cloud. "Either of these events could result in a catastrophic loss of life," it says.

While mass evacuation would be essential in either scenario, the report adds, "The political and humanitarian situation makes it unlikely that the population will heed warnings of an impending eruption and be prepared to evacuate part or whole of Goma as a precautionary measure."

Evacuation would also leave the population vulnerable to a cholera outbreak, due to total reliance on drinking water from the lake. "The prevention of enteric disease in a future eruption has to be a leading priority for the health sector, relief agencies and NGO's," says the report. "The risk of an epidemic is greatest with the evacuation of Goma, or a return to Goma [as happened in January] before its shattered lifelines are restored."

Emergency health measures required include the provision of chlorinated water along evacuation routes and in refuge areas, and medical cover for the treatment of diseases, as well as immunisation programmes against measles, meningitis and polio, the report says.

A further recommendation is that WHO coordinate the health sector response to a possible crisis, including emergency planning, and that a risk assessment be carried out before the end of 2002. Food rations should also be stockpiled, and logistical and engineering interventions coordinated to chlorinate drinking water and maintain power supplies in the city.

Mt Nyiragongo, just outside Goma, erupted unexpectedly on 17 and 18 January, causing tens of thousands of people to temporarily flee the city, temporarily. The Nyiragongo volcano is one of eight on the borders of Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. Only two of these are still active: Nyamuragira, which erupted in 2001 causing no casualties, and Nyiragongo, which previously erupted on 10 January 1977, killing scores of people in less than 30 minutes.

[Full report entitled "Human health and vulnerability in the Nyiragongo volcano crisis DR Congo Jun 2002" on
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vID/302BE587C8DF7C39C1256BE2002CF5CC]