Press release on the alarming situation in Xanthe
Under the weight of ash, we must make ourselves heard. Xanthe, once a popular vacation destination, is now broken. The island’s volcano has awakened, while the surrounding peoples who enjoyed the land and its fruits remained indifferent. Today, the fields are scorched, the crops devastated, leaving a people devastated. What you hear are the voices of a people tortured by famine and distress. A large part of the population is now homeless and completely destitute.
The eruption of Mount Solma has had dramatic and devastating consequences for the local population. To date, we estimate that 25% of residents have lost their homes and been forced to flee to the south of the island. However, southern Xanthe is also suffering the consequences of the volcano’s awakening. The ash plume released is suffocating crops and posing a serious threat to the next harvest. According to local authorities, 40% of livestock has perished and 450,000 trees have been burned. Near the coast, ash and landslides are having an inexorable impact on water quality and sea levels. As a result, 20% of the population has been deprived of access to fishery resources, particularly fishing. We also estimate that 70% of infrastructure in major cities (hospitals, schools, shops, etc.) has been destroyed.
The destruction of infrastructure caused by the eruption has left many people injured and blocked access to emergency care. In addition, the delivery of essential food supplies is becoming difficult with the limited resources available. The smoke released by the volcano is also causing numerous respiratory problems for the local population. Children are particularly vulnerable and at risk of developing asthma or severe long-term health conditions. The destruction of agricultural land is leading to an unprecedented food crisis. The chemicals released are making drinking water unsafe for consumption.
To help the population, we want to implement several useful and relevant actions. To do this, it is necessary to carry out these actions in a specific order.
First, the immediate needs of the population must be met:
- Set up temporary reception centers (tents, support structures) in secure areas of the island.
- Distribute emergency kits (drinking water, food, blankets, hygiene products, masks).
- Provide psychological support.
Next, health and medical support is needed:
- Deployment of mobile medical teams to isolated areas
- Distribution of respiratory masks and information on the risks associated with ash
- Monitoring of respiratory and skin diseases
- Awareness-raising on good hygiene practices
The environment and soil should then be protected as much as possible:
- Establishment of temporary protection zones to prevent the exploitation of contaminated soil
- Light decontamination work
To succeed in this mission, we must coordinate with local authorities:
- Regular sharing of situation reports and collected data
- Compliance with safety protocols and restricted areas
- Participation in crisis and coordination units between NGOs
Finally, it will be necessary to raise awareness among the population about the risks:
- Information campaigns on persistent volcanic risks
- Dissemination of prevention messages (local radio, posters, public meetings)
It is therefore in this context of extreme urgency that we are appealing to you! Individuals, businesses, governments—we must all unite and participate in order to help the people in danger on Xanthe! And above all, remember that any help is welcome, whether it be money, medical resources, food, or supplies—everything is useful.
It is only with everyone’s help that we will be able to overcome this unprecedented crisis.
