OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Comoros - Karthala Volcanic Eruption
29  April 2005


1. Situation

The activity of the Karthala Volcano has receded over the past week. On
Saturday 23 April, the National Documentation and Scientific Research
Centre (CNDRS) organised a press conference, during which the team of
vulcanologists from La Reunion (France) indicated that the eruption is
over, but that the possibility of a new eruption in the coming weeks or
months cannot be excluded.

The majority of the populations who had fled from their villages in the
eastern part of the Grande Comore Island have reportedly returned to
their homes.

2. Immediate needs

Rural populations in the Comoros rely on rain-fed water collected from
roofs and stored in water tanks, which are often not protected. It has
been found that at least 720 water tanks in 36 villages of the regions
of Dimani, Domba and Oichili, which were exposed to smoke and ashes,
have been polluted with volcanic debris. According to a preliminary
chemical analysis, the water stored in these tanks is turbid and has
high concentrations of sulphate, sulphite, nitrate and fluorine. As a
result, populations have been recommended not to consume this water. The
authorities estimate that approximately 39,000 people are affected by
water contamination, and require assistance with water supply.

3. Response

On Thursday 21 April, the authorities launched an emergency plan to
supply clean water to the affected populations with the support of
humanitarian partners. As part of this plan, subterranean water is
collected in Moroni and transported by truck to the affected villages. A
total of 12 trucks are involved in the operation, of which two have been
made available by the government and ten hired by UNICEF.

UN Agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF and WHO, have provided three
four-by-four vehicles to support field operations, as well as fuel and
funding to cover operational costs for ten days. UNICEF has also
provided five water tanks, and ordered another eight tanks, which should
arrive in the Comoros next week.

The Comoros Red Crescent Society has deployed 20 volunteers, who
participate in the cleaning of the water tanks. Acting on a request from
the Comoros Red Crescent, the Regional Intervention Platform for the
Indian Ocean (PIROI) based in La Reunion dispatched a water engineer and
600 kg of supplies, including 10 flexible water tanks, 4 pumps, 2 kits
to perform water analysis and 40 tarpaulins. Additional flexible water
tanks and pumps were to be shipped on 28 April.

The Chinese Government has made a contribution of approximately 6,000
Euros to the government of the Union of the Comoros to support the
operation.

The government is in the process of preparing an appeal in order to
ensure the continuation of the above-mentioned operation and develop
mitigation activities, such as the protection of the water tanks. The
appeal, which is prepared with technical support from UN Agencies, will
be released shortly.

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:
   Mr. Noel Tsekouras
     direct Tel. +41-22-917 1587
   Mr. Michel N. Kassa
     direct Tel. +41-22-917 2163

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-892 16 79

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