OMS CABO VERDE Newsletter Special Edition Fogo volcanic eruption : From the onset to the post-disaster assessment The role of the WHO

Transcription

1 OMS CABO VERDE Newsletter Special Edition Fogo volcanic eruption : From the onset to the post-disaster assessment The role of the WHO Fig 1 - A view of the slowly advancing lava and the extent of the damages caused by it in the community of Chã das Caldeiras I. Context 1 On the 23rd of November 2014 a volcanic eruption occurred on the island of Fogo in the archipelago of Cabo Verde. During the early hours of the eruption, critical infra-structure such as roads and telecommunications where immediately destroyed by a massive torrent of lava flow that also covered a substantial area of arable land. However, considering the slow movement of magma, the population had sufficient time to be evacuated out of the affected area. The eruption gained local, national and international attention when the lava flow proceeded to completely destroy the two communities that had been living on the foot slope of this volcano since The eruption left a trail of devastation as it completely destroyed the two settlements in the caldera and displaced the 994 people living there. Agricultural land was destroyed as well as social infrastructure (schools, the health center and a church). The eruption terminated on 7th February 2015, after 88 days of continuous emission of magna. For an effective response, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Mariano Salazar Castellón, initiated an Emergency Response Framework (ERF) and according to the WHO s internal grading process for emergencies, it was attributed by the African Regional Office, Grade 1. An international expert, Dr. François B. Nguessan, was assigned in order to elaborate Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA). A UN Disaster Assistance and Coordination (UNDAC) Team with experts from OCHA and UNDP, and the European Civil Protection mechanism, was deployed to support the overall coordination, needs assessment and information management in support of the Government of Cabo Verde. The Group remained active until the Post-Disaster Evaluation. 1 United Nations UNDP, FAO, UNHABITAT, UNICEF, ILO-(2015); Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Fogo Volcanic eruption ; pp. 5 1

2 II. Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) Recommendations and Conclusion Recommendations 2 Central Level and Ministry of Health - Develop a National Plan for Health Emergencies Response Preparedness as an essential component of the National Civil Protection Plan; - Provide the Health Delegation of São Filipe with an ambulance. Regional/Local Level - Develop a Regional Plan (or Municipal) for Health Emergencies Response and Preparedness as an essential component of the Regional Civil Protection Plan; - Develop an Early Recovery Plan for the affected populations and areas with the support of the central authorities and development partners. WHO Country Office - Support national and local authorities for the development of National and Regional Plans Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response; - Support national and local authorities for the development of the health component in the Early Recovery Plan; - Monitor developments. Conclusion The volcano eruption on the island of Fogo in the Cabo Verde archipelago was a single event with minimal public health consequences. The existing health system has seen no major disruption and populations relocated to other locations benefited of effective health care. WHO should be prepared to respond and support priority needs of these populations and local authorities in the medium term in order to facilitate early recovery and a quick return to normal social and economic life. However challenge can only be met by strengthening the technical capacities of the WHO Country Office. Fig 2- WHO Country Representative, Dr Mariano Castellon; Dr. François B. Nguessan from WHO AFRO at touching distance from the lava flow, and the mission during a moment with the head of Environment, Energy & Disaster Prevention Unit, UN Joint Program, Antonio Querido and the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca 2 Dr B. Nguessan, F. ; Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (2014) Evaluation Initiale Rapide volcan île de Fogo ; pp

3 III. Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Disaster Effects Estimated value of disaster effects caused by the eruption (CVE Million) 3 Sectors Damage Ownership Flow Ownership Total Ownership Value Public Private losses Public Private Effects Public Private Social sectors Housing Education Health Culture Productive , ,375.2 Agriculture Livestock Agro Processing Tourism Infrastructure Electricity Water & Sanit Transport Communication Cross-cutting Environment Governance Disaster Risk Reduction Employment Total 2, , , , United Nations UNDP, FAO, UNHABITAT, UNICEF, ILO-(2015); Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Fogo Volcanic eruption ; pp

4 Recovery Needs Summary of Recovery Needs (CVE and USD) 4 Sector CVE (million) USD (million) Total Total (CVE (USD million) Mediu Short Medium Long Short Long million) m Productive Sectors Agriculture Livestock Agroprocessing Tourism Social Sector Housing and Land Use Health Education Culture Cross-Cutting Issues Environment Employment Gender DRR Governance Infrastructure Transport Communicatio n Energy Water Sanitation ,251. Total 5 1, , United Nations UNDP, FAO, UNHABITAT, UNICEF, ILO-(2015); Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Fogo Volcanic eruption ; pp. 10 4

5 IV. References - Dr B. Nguessan, F. ; Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (2014) Evaluation Initiale Rapide volcan île de Fogo ; - United Nations UNDP, FAO, UNHABITAT, UNICEF, ILO-(2015); Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Fogo Volcanic eruption Salazar Castellon, M.; Fogo Volcano Eruption 2014/2015- Role of the WHO. Interview in person Additional pictures of the eruption of the volcano on the island of Fogo and of the Initial Rapid Assessment mission, of the th December 2014, are available under the following link: For further information, please contact: Vesna Jovic Communication and Health Promotion WHO Cabo Verde jovicv@who.int 5