World Health Organization
Emergency and Humanitarian Action Department
Preliminary Draft appeal for the emergency caused by the
Nyiragongo volcano in Goma
Situation
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo which has started on Thursday 17 January 2002
has caused the destruction of a great part of the city of Goma, has led to the
displacement of an estimated half million people to the town of Gisenyi in Rwanda
and towards Bukavu in DRC. There are no accurate estimates yet about number of
casualties nor about the evolving situation there. There are threats of toxic fumes
emanating from the lake after it was hit by the lava. The displaced population has
been also on the move with some returning to Goma or to other parts of the DRC. For
the moment the estimates from OCHA speak about around 250,000 persons in
Gisenyi who will be transferred to camps once they are ready, another 150,000 in
Goma and another 100,000 around Bukavu. The situation in Goma is not clear,
however information about the destruction of all health centers and one of the two
hospitals has circulated. There is no water and no electricity in most areas in Goma.
The situation in Gisenyi is also difficult, since the town itself is at threat from the
extension of the volcanic eruption .The WHO offices and stocks in Goma have been
destroyed.
The population in the eastern part of the Congo had been already made acutely
vulnerable by the consequences and the health impact of the conflict. Mortality and
Morbidity rates were extremely high. Main killers are malaria, diarrhea and acute
respiratory diseases including tuberculosis. Maternal mortality is extremely high form
complications of pregnancy. With the volcanic eruption, the poor hygienic conditions,
the lack of water and electricity, the displacement, the fumes and toxic gases, this
population is under extreme stress.
Public Health hazards:
 Respiratory and Ocular effects( inhalation of ash particles and eye irritation
The ash particles produced in explosive eruptions are often small enough to be readily
inhaled deep into the lungs and coaser particles may lodge in the nose or eye.
Eye irritation and minor corneal abrasions can result from ash particles entering the
eye.
 Trauma from collapse of building
 Burns
 Short-circuiting of outdoor power equipment because of deposition of moist ash
which is a conductor of electricity, on an unprotected insulator.
 Communicable diseases: Debris and tephra that fall around volcanoes may
obstruct rivers and fill in lakes, and unusual flooding and pooling of water can
lead to conditions conducive to the spread of endemic infectious diseases. Cholera
and other water borne diseases will be threatening the population.
 Toxic effects: Water should be routinely tested for chemical toxicity after
eruption. The pH of rivers can be lowered by acidic ash and thus endanger. Lakes
and rivers used for drinking water need to be tested if the ahs is known to have or
is suspected of having a high fluoride content.
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Ionizing radiation: Radon may be emitted in large quantities in eruption columns
where it unlikely to pose a health risk. However, radon my adhere to ash particles
and thus expose the population to radiation risks. Ash itself may have a high
uranium content, and its radioactivity needs to be checked if it is from a volcano
with a well differentiated magma.
Mental Health: As with other types of natural disasters, an eruption may cause
people to become anxious or depressed or to experience post-traumatic stress
disorders.
The Response
Goma: The WHO team from Goma had been evacuated to Kigali and Bukavu and is
in the process of returning to Goma to assess the situation. From Kinshasa a WHO
Staff Dr. Simon Van Nieuwenhove had joined the interagency mission that has gone
today (21/01/02) to Goma and Bukavu.
Kigali: WHO Kigali had already been involved in the emergency response since
Friday. The WHO representative Dr. Diouf had gone to Gisenyi together with the
Minister of Health from Rwanda and to Goma. Coordination set-ups for health were
put. The WHO is supporting the Medecin Inspecteur provincial in Gisenyi who is
coordinating health issues. A water and sanitation engineer and an epidemiologist
have been assigned from Kigali to support the team there.
The flight that will leave Brindisi today will be carrying 4 emergency health kits and
two trauma kits.
Regional: The WHO emergency public Health coordinator for the Great Lakes who is
based in Nairobi will be joining the UNDAC team tomorrow. WHO , emergency and
humanitarian action focal point in the regional office AFRO Dr. Bill Aldis is expected
to join the Assistant emergency Relief coordinator (AERC) Mr. Ross Mountain and to
lead WHO efforts there. The regional office for WHO will be also be sending 2
epidemiologists and a water and sanitation engineer.
The Priorities for WHO:
1- Support both ministries of Health in Rwanda and DRC in their efforts to respond to
the emergency.
2- Support health sectoral coordination and exchange of health information
3- Provide expert technical support regarding the health risks and consequences and
their management resulting from the volcanic eruption and the toxic gases and fumes
emanating
4-Ensure epidemiological surveillance and monitor outbreak of disease
5- Provide essential medicines and supplies to cover basic medical needs
Activities will include setting up one or two field offices in the areas of displacement:
Gisenyi, Goma or other (especially that WHO antennae premises were destroyed as
well as ensuring that needed vaccines and medicines are stocked and well conserved