Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides)- “Through Caritas we are assessing how to give specific assistance to people affected by the fumes of toxic waste” Fides was told by Fr Blaise Amia, who works for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Côte d'Ivoire where operations are underway to remove toxic waste illegally dumped in various parts of Abidjan, the country’s economic capital.
“State hospitals and clinics and medical centres are doing all they can to assist the people affected” - the priest said - “We have also made Church structures available. At present in view of subsidiarity through our Caritas centres we are assessing needs in the various districts of the city and to see where state assistance is not meeting the actual needs to then plan intervention on the part of the local Catholic community.”
“The local Church is already providing spiritual and psychological to people in the affected areas where the air is now unbreathable. We intend to extend this type of assistance”.
Local health authorities say medical structures have reached the limit of their capacity. Over 44,000 people have requested and received medical attention and treatment although only 66 of these had to be admitted to hospital. The city is in the grip of a pollution psychosis. The World Health Organisation suggests an awareness campaign to reassure public opinion. In fact according to the experts the toxic fumes will not have long term consequences on public health.
A total 528 tonnes of toxic waste unloaded at Abidjan port from the Probo Koala merchant ship and deposited in 15 illegal dumps in different city districts caused thousands of cases of breathing difficulties and various reactions among the local people, 7 cases were mortal.
The toxic waste disaster also caused the fall of the government when the people took to the streets calling for the resignation of certain government members said to be involved in the disaster. On 16 September Côte d'Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo appointed a new government with the same premier as before Charles Konan Banny. The episode finds the country struggling for a way out to a crisis after the United Nations officially postponed elections scheduled for 31 October at a meeting in New York at which President Gbagbo was not present
To settle the crisis various meetings are planned for the coming weeks: Economic Community of West African Countries (CEDEAO), African Union, International Work Group for Côte d'Ivoire, UN Security Council. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2006 righe 41 parole 502)
