Children affected by rains and flooding in the coast

Children affected by rains and flooding in the coast

Children affected by Tungurahua volcano

Children affected by Tungurahua volcano

 

Children affected by Tungurahua volcano

© UNICEF Ecuador/2006/Estevez

Cecilia Davila helps children put on special children-sized masks provided by UNICEF to prevent respiratory problems caused by ash in the air in the volcano area.

The eruption process of the Tungurahua volcano, in the central Andes of Ecuador, had a new outbreak in March 2007.  Having started in August 2006, when several affected communities were evacuated and 19.000 moved to temporary shelters, there is inminent danger of other eruptions.  In March, volcano activity has resulted in ash coverin the surrounding area, and people seeking shelter in nearby towns.

UNICEF and other UN agencies are evaluating damages. The main health needs are masks, antihistamines, serum and eye drops. After a meeting with the mayors and visits to the affected areas, the UN mission concluded that – even if it is not an emergency like the one that occurred in 2006– it is important to intervene with local development programs in agriculture, water and sanitation, public health, viability, housing and the psychological and social recovery of kids and teenagers.

In mid-August the volcano had its biggest eruption yet , leading to the displacement of thousands of 2000 children and their families to shelters.  The worst affected provinces are Tungurahua and Chimborazo, even though the ashes reached Bolivar, Los Rios, Guayas and Manabi. A high number of explosions were registered, accompanied by volcanic tremors and gas and ash emissions that continued for 36 hours. Pyroclastic flows and other volcanic material destroyed roads, houses, infrastructure, crops and pastureland.

The volcano is surrounded by many small villages whose residents depend on cattle and crops for their livelihood. When massive clouds of ash started covering these communities, people began fleeing the area with their belongings strapped to their backs and their livestock trailing behind.

Health units in the region treated approximately 90 people per day for volcano-related respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, dermatitis and gastrointestinal problems. At least four people were dead.

About 23,000 hectares of crops were lost due to the massive ash fall in 2006. Since the time to plant crops is approaching, there is concern that farmers will have a poor harvest next year. Their cattle are also experiencing serious health problems, some leading to death, from grazing in ash-covered pastures.

UNICEF took immediate action in response to the crisis, setting up three operation centres in the communities of Penipe, Riobamba and Pelileo. Two-hundred volunteers are being trained to provide psychosocial assistance for children in the temporary shelters and affected villages. The shelters are being equipped with educational materials, as well as games and toys, to provide safe spaces where children can cope with the traumatic experiences they have endured.

The UN system is also assisting the Government of Ecuador with an assessment and listing of needs to be presented in an international appeal for aid.

Early in August 2006, at the start of the eruptive process, UNICEF - in cooperation with the Red Cross, Save the Children- Spain, CRS, and the Universidad Salesiana - gave psico-social assistance to children in shelters. Thanks to previous training by UNICEF, the Red Cross also applyied "Retorno a la Alegría" methods to help children regain a sense of normality.