Mt. Nyriagongo Eruption (1997) Flashcards
Why do people live there?
=> Farming is good near to the volcano.
=> Goma served as an encampment for nearly a million refugees from the civil war in Rwanda.
=> Population memory of disaster is limited. —-> Limited perception of risk.
Development indicator?
=> More than 80% people lived on the threshold defined for extreme poverty.
=> DRC is endowed with rich natural resources, however war over this kills 10,000 civilians a month. —> Corruption in the mining industry has become a trade for militia groups.
=> HDI: 0.435
Details of Eruption?
=> Explosive and deadly stratovolcano.
=> Active - Has erupted 34 times since 1882.
Short-Term Impacts on People?
=> 15% of Goma destroyed, including 12,500 homes by ash and lava.
=> Aid agencies unable to access some areas of Goma.
=> 350,000 people became dependent on aid.
Long-Term on People?
=> Cholera spread due to lack of sanitation in places people fled to. BUT contained due to rapid intervention by NGOS providing clean water.
=> Lava flowed into roads. Tephra is being used to rebuild. BUT increased poverty as many cannot afford to rebuild.
Environmental Impacts on DRC?
=> Poisonous gases caused acid rain, affecting farmland and cattle. —> Led to economic impact, farmers lost income.
=> Led to formation of another volcano (Murara) on slopes of Nyamuragira.
Political Impacts on DRC?
=> Many fled to the West of the city, or across the Rwandan border.
Economic Impacts on DRC?
=> Built back better? - Improved roads and public transport have changed economy.
=> Regional economy had shrunk by 80% BUT today it is rebounding with airport expansions, hotels etc, making use of volcanic stone.
=> Quality cement industry has grown, with natural resource being readily available.
Mitigation against event? (E.g lava flows).
NONE!
Mitigation against vulnerability?
=> USAID / OFDA donated seismographs to provide key signals of impending eruptions. BUT several of these are out of action, need constant maintenance due to vandalism, theft, and lighting damage.
=> UNOPS sset up a radio station to extent information about volcanoes. Done also through schools.
=> Funding given for Goma Volcano Observatory (GVO) BUT now in doubt as money used for airport reconstruction instead.
Mitigation against losses?
=> ECHO provided 5 million euros to purchase essentials, and sent an assessment team to deal with the rapid crisis.
=> NGOs delivered to water to public bladders and health centre bladders in Goma on a daily basis.
=> Red Cross has established a site for temporary relocation.
