OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Colombia: Nevado del Huila Volcanic Eruption
20 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

With more than 50 events occurred since 12 p.m. to 4 a.m., authorities
confirm an increase in volcanic activity

Situation

According to the most recent information provided by the Regional
Direction of Disaster Prevention and Attention in Cauca and the regional
director of INGEOMINAS more than 50 seismic events have been registered
since last night in the Nevado del Huila volcano. These signals are
indicating an increase in volcanic activity, after yesterday's eruption.

The population returned to their homes, with 20 persons still blockaded
in the locality of Laguna de Paz (Pez - Belalcazar, Cauca), near Toribio
municipality, with nearly 1,300 currently in Buco and Yosayo, indigenous
reservations.

An extensive evaluation of needs and damages is still ongoing. However,
preliminary results show that the most severe material damages resulting
from the eruption, are localized in the municipality of Paez Belalcazar,
in Cauca Department. In Huila department, the other area under the
influence of the volcano, only damages of irrigation systems, crops and
livestock have been reported. In Huila, local authorities are
maintaining a red alert.

Impact

All of the population living in the urban areas of Belalcazar municipal
seat that evacuated yesterday (5000) returned to their homes. In the
rural areas of the same municipalities, the evacuation of approximately
1200 persons living in the at risk area along the basin of Simbola River
is still in progress and the family reported as missing has been located

Severe climactic conditions are hampering the evacuation of another 1320
persons living in Buco and Yosayo, located approximately 40 kms from the
municipal seat of Belalcazar.

Although information regarding the needs of the affected population is
not yet complete, preliminary reports indicate that approximately 420
families along the Paez River and 182 families along the river Simbola
require immediate humanitarian assistance.

In "La Mesa de Caloto" (Paez Belalcazar municipality), the local
authorities reported that 1.500 people require food and medicine.

Impact on Infrastructure: The water treatment installation of Belalcazar
Paez municipal capital was completely destroyed by the avalanche.

The local authorities, with the support of the National Institute of
Roads (INVIAS), are working to reestablish road connections with rural
areas of the municipality. Yesterday's avalanche destroyed 15 bridges
and damaged the main road network.

National Response

The provision of humanitarian assistance, mainly carried out by
helicopter, has been hampered by severe climactic conditions and
difficult terrain.

So far, the Regional Direction of Disaster Prevention and Attention in
Cauca distributed food, medicines, blankets, mattresses and kitchen kits
for 580 families in rural areas of Paez Belalcazar municipality.

The Departmental Government of Cauca is supplying medical centers with
additional medical kits.

Tomorrow, the Colombian Red Cross will send a water treatment system
emergency unit and radios to La Mesa de Caloto (Paez Belalcazar)

Today, the Colombian President visited Paez-Belalcazar municipal capital
and announced a state of emergency for the area affected by the
eruption. The declaration will allow the mobilization of special funds
for the reconstruction phase.

Due to the special status of the indigenous reservations, today the
Regional Direction of Disaster Prevention and Attention decided that all
the humanitarian assistance will be delivered through the Cauca's
Regional Indigenous Council.

International Response

In Cauca's Regional Direction of Disaster Prevention and Attention
meeting, UNICEF offered aids for children, while OCHA is supporting ICRC
delegates in identifying the needs of the affected population.

UNETE continues coordination meetings between the UNS and
DisasterGeneral Direction for Prevention and Attention

PAHO maintains its support and technical assistance to the health system
in Huila and Cauca departments.

OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations Resident
Coordinator in Colombia and will provide further information as it
becomes available.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -