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Colombia

Colombia: Galeras Volcano OCHA Situation Report No. 2


Ref: 2006/0060
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Galeras Volcano– Colombia

This situation report is based on information provided to OCHA by the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, and reports from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Red Cross of Colombia.

Situation

1. On 28 March 2006, the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining (INGEOMINAS) changed the alert level for Galeras Volcano to II (likely eruption in days or weeks).

2. According to INGEOMINAS, the area is in a critical state due to the creation of a solidified lava dome capping the main crater and a reduction of seismic activity of the volcano. Most eruptions of the volcano over the past 17 years have occurred when these parameters were similar.

3. On 18 April, INGEOMINAS reported an overall volume of the lava dome corresponding to 3,200,000 m3 (a volume approximately 15 times that of eruptions in 1992).

4. For these reasons, INGEOMINAS recommends that all authorities continue to adjust and maintain plans, processes, measures, and restrictions of movement for the zones of high volcanic threat.

Impact / Needs

5. National and local authorities are making progress in upgrading 12 temporary shelters in the three municipalities concerned (Pasto, Nariño and la Florida), 5 of which have already received evacuees. The following institutions are managing the shelters: Colombian Red Cross (5), Civil Defense (3), firefighters (1) and the Mayor’s Office in Pasto (1).


Shelters by municipality
Municipality
Name of Shelter
Capacity and number
of persons
Comments
Pasto El Vergel
5.363
Pasto Potreros
1.086
Pasto Fontibón
960
Pasto El Rosal
224
Pasto Postobón
367
Pasto San Juan de Anganoy
200
Pasto Pullitopamba
50
Nariño La Lomita
500
La Florida Plazuelas*
2.025
450 modules being built with an average capacity of 4.5 people each
La Florida El Rodeo
1042
La Florida Pachindo
300
La Florida Bellavista
700

6. According to information provided by the Colombian Red Cross (CRC), approximately 489 households (2,366 persons) are now hosted in five temporary shelters in Pasto municipality. Another 7 temporary shelters remain empty.

7. Due to the reluctance of the major part of the population to move from high risk areas, the authorities have asked the UN system to help them persuade communities at risk to move to safe locations and more generally, to facilitate the interaction with the communities.

8. At the beginning of April, the CRC and Oxfam GB undertook a survey to evaluate SPHERE standards compliance in 12 temporary shelters. The result of the survey showed the need to increase water storage capacity to 5 days in all shelters, as in the event of an eruption, water sources would be contaminated and access routes could be blocked for 4 to 5 days. In addition it was noticed the need to improve overall sanitation and increase the number of electric power generators and telecommunication devices.

National and Local Response

9. In order to increase awareness of the risk among the population that has not evacuated, the Government of Nariño and the Mayor’s Office in Pasto have been implementing a public information strategy via the mass media targeting the communities at risk. The CRC and the local authorities are carrying out public awareness campaigns on the risk of a volcanic eruption.

10. According to the CRC, which is responsible for managing and allocating rental subsidies, subsidies have been distributed to all families that have evacuated from high- and medium-risk areas, as follows:


Subsidies distributed through 18 April 2006
Municipality
Families
Persons
Pasto
1,549
5,702
La Florida
667
2,118
Narino
156
494
TOTAL
2,341
8,235
Source: Colombian Red Cross Aid Directorate. Data updated through April 18, 2006.

Several families have received the subsidy but have not yet been evacuated, partly due to the unavailability of apartments for rent in Pasto.

11. The Government of Nariño and the concerned municipalities are requesting additional funding from the national government to provide food to the population in temporary shelters.

12. The health authorities of Nariño Department have maintained a yellow alert for the Healthcare Service Provider Network and programmed the following activities:

- Psychosocial first aid training for local officials and leaders.

- Verification visits to hospitals.

- Technical assistance for environmental sanitation in shelters.

- Training for healthcare needs assessments.

- Updating of the Supply Management System (SUMA) for managing supplies and medicines.

- Installation of Clinical Stabilization Modules.

13. Under the coordination of the UN Emergency Technical Team in Bogota, an inter-agency team has been established in Pasto. A crisis room has been set up in PAHO/WHO’s office, which is being used to ensure operational coordination of the UN System and to support the local authorities.

14. PAHO has provided technical support to the municipalities to strengthen health response in the fields of medical assistance, epidemiological surveillance, basic sanitation and to improve hygiene and sanitary conditions in shelters. Support has also been provided for the design and construction of shelters and basic sanitation facilities.

International response

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

16. This situation report, together with further information on other 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 Officer:
Ms. Marie Spaak
E-mail: spaak@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 63

Press contact:
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs (Geneva)
Direct Tel. + 41-22-917 2653

Ms. Stephanie Bunker (New York)
Direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

Mr. Brian Grogan
Direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43

Footnote:

(1) Permanent availability of space in hospitals in case of emergency.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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