Montserrat Update 018

Date: Tue, 9 Jan 96 08:08:43 EST
Subject: Montserrat: Volcano  DHA-15

                        MONTSERRAT-VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
                       DHA  INFORMATION REPORT NO. 15
                               9 JANUARY 1996


1.    BY  THE  END OF DECEMBER 1995, THE LEVEL OF ACTIVITY AT THE WESTERN
END  OF  THE  VOLCANO  (THE  SIDE  THREATENING  PLYMOUTH,  THE CAPITAL) HAD
SUBSIDED.  IN  ADDITION  THE  SCIENTISTS  WERE  ABLE  TO DETERMINE THAT THE
PROTECTING  WALL  ON THE WESTERN FLANK WAS HOLDING UP WELL. ON THE BASIS OF
THIS EVALUATION, THE GOVERNOR OF MONTSERRAT LIFTED THE EVACUATION ORDER AND
THE  MAJORITY  OF  THE  POPULATION  WAS  ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES BY 2
JANUARY  1996.  THE  COMMUNITIES  FROM  THE  EASTERN  FLANK OF THE VOLCANO,
HOWEVER, REMAIN IN THE SAFE ZONE IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND, ALONG WITH THE
ELDERLY AND INFIRM.

2.     WHILE THE AMOUNT OF DOME AND SPINE GROWTH IN THE VOLCANO HAS
SUBSIDED,  COPIOUS  STEAM  EMISSIONS STILL CONTINUE. THE SCIENTIFIC
TEAM IS NOW WATCHING FOR ANY INDICATION OF REVERSAL IN THE SWELLING
OF THE COMPLEX'S RETAINING WALLS, WHICH MAY INDICATE A REDUCTION IN
PRESSURE.  NEVERTHELESS,  THE  AUTHORITIES  HAVE BEEN INFORMING THE
POPULATION ABOUT THE THREAT THAT THE VOLCANO CONTINUES TO POSE, AND
THE  EVENTUALITY OF ANOTHER EVACUATION, IF DEEMED NECESSARY.

3.       DURING   DECEMBER   1995,   THE  WHO/PAN  AMERICAN  HEALTH
ORGANIZATION  (PAHO)  DEVELOPED SEVERAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ISLAND IN
THE  AREA OF PUBLIC HEALTH, PROVIDING REAGENTS FOR CHLORINE TESTING
AND  DISINFECTANTS,  AS  WELL  AS  ORGANIZING  TWO SELF-COUNSELLING
WORK-SHOPS  FOR  MEDICAL   STAFF.  PAHO  HAS  ALSO RECRUITED 1X RAY
TECHNICIAN, 1 ANESTHESIOLOGIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST.

4.      THIS WILL BE THE FINAL REPORT ON THIS EMERGENCY, UNLESS THE
CURRENT  ERUPTION  BECOMES  MORE  VIOLENT  AND LEADS  TO NEW RELIEF
ASSISTANCE NEEDS.

+ DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN  AFFAIRS - GENEVA +
TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-917-1234
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY:  TELEPHONE +41-22-917-2010
DESK OFFICER: CARLOS PEREIRA, DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917-13.83
PRESS TO CONTACT:  MRS. MOULIN-ACEVEDO, TEL: +41-22-917-28-56
TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917-0023
ELECTRONIC MAIL: DHAGVA AT DHA.UNICC.ORG
DPR 310
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