Irish Red Cross sends funds in immediate response to Congo Volcano

Reports from the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC) societies suggest that a quarter of a million people need food and water immediately. Over the weekend an initial appeal for 1.5 million Swiss Francs was launched by the IFRC.

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 heath of the refugees is of particular concern to us, since the fumes spewed out, with the ash from the volcano, are sulfuric 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 IFRC's Health Department in Geneva.

It is estimated some 300,000 people have fled Goma and sought refuge in Gisenyi and surrounding areas, on the Rwandan side of the border. Active since the very beginning of the disaster, some 1,000 Rwanda Red Cross volunteers have been providing assistance and first aid to people terrified by the wall of incandescent lava which destroyed at least 80% of the Town of Goma.

Although the volcano seems to have calmed down for now, another lava flow is threatening the town of Gisenyi, and Red Cross volunteers are currently persuading refugees to leave Gisenyi, and to walk to three other refugee camps, situated some 20 to 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, some 80 kilometres northeast of Gisenyi.

Meanwhile the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is also involved in the aid effort, through its delegates and staff based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Four truckloads of water were sent to Gisenyi on Friday and actions were discussed with both local Government and UNHCR officials.

Donations to the Irish Red Cross, to fund this operation can be made by Credit Card on our donations CallSave number 1850 50 70 70 to the Goma Volcano Appeal, or by cheque or postal order to the Red Cross Goma Volcano Appeal, Irish Red Cross, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Ends.