Mt Bagana Update (as at July 19, 2023)
Current Situation:
A moderate eruption occurred at Bagana on July 7, 2023 which sent large ash, gas and steam plume to high altitudes and caused significant ashfall in communities. From the initial reports from locals on the ground, the ashfall covered vegetation, destroyed food gardens and contaminated rivers and streams used as the primary water source.
Assessment Update:
Aerial assessment was conducted on Tuesday 19 July 2023. A preliminary report from the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) has confirmed the following:
• The summit area was obscured during the inspection period
• Ashfall was not visible due to the ongoing rains in the areas reported to be affected
• Pyroclastic flow (a dense, fast-moving flow of solidified lava pieces, volcanic ash, and hot gases) was confirmed to be small and restricted to the river bed only. Water sources from rivers originating from the base of Bagana confirmed to be contaminated with volcanic ash.
Relief Update:
All relief efforts are being coordinated through Disaster Management Teams. Food, water and shelter supplies have been transported to Wakunai Station today. The same supplies will be airlifted to Piva Station in Torokina tomorrow (Thursday 19 July 2023).
Health update:
Health Emergency Operations team has been activated as of yesterday and have begun surveillance activities to detect outbreak of waterborne and airborne diseases in both areas. Pharmaceutical and clinical leads are dispatching medical supplies to Wakunai today and the same medical supplies will be airlifted to Torokina tomorrow.
A team is being established to oversee health promotion and health awareness activities that need to be conducted within the camps and health facilities to prevent outbreak of diseases that are expected in cramped and overcrowded living conditions that often occur in a care centre.
A team of Environmental Health officers will be deployed to Piva tomorrow to do environmental risk assessment of Piva to assess the suitability of setting up the care centre there. For Wakunai, Environmental Health officers are already on the ground and are working closely with the district administration to inform WASH needs required for the establishment of the care centre there.
Education Update:
1. Schools affected in Torokina District
As per information received from the Education Officer on the ground Mr Melchior Sebelei, the following schools are affected by ashfall and contaminated water:
- Gotana Primary School
- Tsitovi Primary School
- Laruma Primary School
- Sire’evi Primary School
- Kawai Primary School
- Atsinima Primary School
- Tsitovi Elementary School
- Korovi Elementary School
- Reini Elementary School
2. Schools affected in Wakunai District
As per information received from the Education Officer on the ground Mr Martin Avoata, the following schools are affected by ash fall and contaminated water:
- Ruruvu Primary School
- Sisivi Primary School
- Karauturi Primary School
- Sisivi Elementary School
- Siroripaia Elementary School
- Voko Elementary School
- Togarau Elementary School
- Aviro Elementary School
- Ivu Elementary School
3. Actions Taken
Teachers in Torokina
Last week, permission was granted for teachers in the affected schools to be evacuated to Torokina Primary School. Teachers at Laruma Primary Schools have moved down to Location 2 (Sire’evi Primary School). Most teachers of Gotana and Atsinima Primary Schools are still in Buka since the Term 2 holidays. Mr Sebelei to strategize with teachers for some teaching and learning to happen at the Care centre.
Teachers and students in Wakunai
Teachers are still at their locations and transport has been arranged to move them down to Wakunai Primary School tomorrow Thursday 20/7/23. Mr Avoata to strategize with teachers for some teaching and learning to happen at the Care centre.
4. Way Forward
All teachers will be moved to the locations approved by the District Disaster Management Teams. No teacher is to leave and go to his/her home district. Some teaching and learning will be happening at the Care centres under Education in Emergency (EiE). Priority will be given to Grade 8 students, while some teaching & learning for other grades will also be organized. Suspension of classes to be issued by the Acting Secretary for the Department of Education as of tomorrow Thursday 20/7/23 for a period of two weeks only. Any long term suspension to be done by the Bougainville Education Board pending update reports.
Key Contact Points:
Torokina District Disaster Coordinator – Team Leader: Mr Boniface Wadari 73547081
Wakunai District Disaster Coordinator – Team Leader: Mr Mathew Kusa 72039544
Approved by:
Esther Usurup
Caretaker Chief Secretary
ABG
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