Comoros: Karthala Volcanic Eruption OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2005/0084
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Comoros - Karthala Volcanic Eruption
24 May 2005
1. Situation
No further activity of the Karthala Volcano has been reported, but sources warn that the possibility of a new eruption in the coming weeks or months still exists.
The 10,000 persons displaced immediately after the eruption have returned to their homes and work is underway to restore potable water and sanitation facilities to the estimate 39,000 affected by volcanic ash fallout.
2. Needs
The Comoros Government issued an appeal on 30 April 2005 requesting 366,900 Euros (approximately US $ 460,000) in assistance to provide potable water and environmental sanitation following damage incurred due from the ash fall. A needs assessment was conducted, highlighting three areas of priority needs: supply of potable water, protection of water cisterns, and strengthening the capacity of the national emergency operation centre (national and island coordination structures.)
3. Response
In addition to the contributions mentioned in the previous Situation Reports, OCHA has provided an emergency cash grant of US $50,000 to cover water cisterns that have been cleaned by the national RC society, to rent water trucks to fill them, and to help strengthen emergency coordination structures.
UNDP has obtained US $50,000 from its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) to re-supply potable water and to provide information technology to strengthen national coordination structures.
ECHO sent a mission to Comoros from 2 to 4 May. A proposal for assistance in potable water supply, cleaning and protection of cisterns, and national capacity building and hygiene and water and sanitation education is under consideration.
The following table shows donor contributions to date:
Donor
|
Contribution
|
|
China |
EUR 6,000
|
|
France | Volcanologists |
in-kind
EUR 5,000 |
Red Cross/ Red Crescent | Pumps, water reservoirs, plastic sheeting, water testing kits (600 kg of material) | |
OCHA | Emergency Cash Grant |
US $ 50,000
|
UNDP | Gasoline (from BCPR) |
US $ 50,000
|
UNICEF | Health kits, rice, water cisterns, transport costs | |
WHO | 4wd vehicle |
4. Coordination
Disaster response coordination falls under responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and Territorial Security, which manages relief operations through a Central Command Post. International support is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator. The OCHA Regional Office is maintaining regular contact with the Resident Coordinator in order to determine additional coordination support needs.
5. Contact
Ms. Giuseppina Mazza, UN Resident Coordinator: + 269 73 10 25
Mr. Chris Kaye, OCHA Regional Office for Southern Africa: + 27 11 517 1609
This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers:
Ms. Wendy Cue, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2632
Mr. Michel N. Kassa, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2163
Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-892 16 79