Government
Claims USD 13.5 Million Needed to Mitigate Crisis
Abidjan, 8 September 2006 -
Various sites in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,
including a lagoon, the sewage system and areas
close to water sources have been the dump site
of toxic substances from the vessel ‘Probo Koala’
during the night of 19 August 2006. So far, three
people have reportedly died and approximately
3000 affected after inhaling fumes from these
substances. Reported health impacts include intestinal
and respiratory problems as well as nose bleeds,
nausea and vomiting.
Initial analysis by the Centre
Ivorien Antipollution (CIAPOL) and the SIR laboratory
maintain that the substances are characterized
by an overwhelming odor, consist of approximately
528m3 of matter containing organochlorines and
may emit hydrogen sulfide. Pollutants such as
hydrogen sulfide are volatile and reach people
through the air. Organochlorines belong to the
group of persistent organic pollutants that last
a long in the environment, accumulate in the food
chain and can reach people through multiple pathways
(e.g. through drinking water, seafood, etc.).
These compounds may also be acutely toxic.
It is widely reported that public
authorities may have authorized the dumping of
the substances believing it was sewage. The Cabinet
has been dissolved in connection with the incident.
National authorities indicated
in meetings with UN officials that they do not
have the capacity to fully assess and mitigate
the damage. The Government officially requested
international assistance and has put forward a
preliminary funding request for 13.5 million USD
for short and medium term response.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator
requested a more detailed emergency plan to be
submitted by the Ministry of Environment focusing
on immediate priority needs to be submitted with
an official assistance request. Meanwhile, the
Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator is leading
a task force that is working with national authorities
to map and carry out field assessment missions
to some of the sites.
The Secretariat of the Basel
Convention received a request for assistance on
25 August 2006, and the Secretariat has responded
positively. In accordance with Conference of Parties
rules, Cote d'Ivoire may expect assistance from
the Basel Convention trust fund, if an application
is made.
The UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention
and Recovery has released 50,000 USD to the UNDP
Resident Coordinator’s office to assist with the
coordination of the response.
In the event of a request for
assistance from national authorities, the OCHA/ESB
Environmental Emergencies Section (EES) expressed
its intention to work with international partners,
including the European Commission Civil Protection
Cooperation Mechanism (MIC) which has already
received a formal request for assistance through
the EC Delegation in Abidjan to provide support
to identify and mitigate the crisis.
This feature is based
on information received from OCHA Côte d’Ivoire
and media sources.
