GeoRisCA – Geo-Risk in Central Africa: integrating multi-hazards and vulnerability to support risk management

———-

DURATION: 2012-2016 (4 years)

PARTICIPANTS:

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium (F. Kervyn, C. Michellier, D. Delvaux, P. Trefois, T. Trefon, O. Dewitte, F. Albino, B. Smets)

Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium (Eléonore Wolff, C. Michellier)

Université de Liège, Belgium (H.-B. Havenith, S. Draida)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium (M. Kervyn, S. Poppe)

European Center for Geodynamics and Seismology, Walferdange, Luxembourg (N. d’Oreye, B. Smets)

SUPPORT

–  Belgian Science Policy (Belspo)

DESCRIPTION

The main objective of the GeoRisCA project is the assessment of the georisk in the Lake Kivu region (DRC, Rwanda, Burundi), by analysing and combining seismic, volcanic and mass-movement hazards as well as the vulnerability of the population, the infrastructures and the natural ecosystems, in order to support risk management.

Most threatening at regional scale are the seismic hazard and the regular eruptions of the two active volcanoes of the Virungas that could strongly affect this high densely populated and vulnerable area. Possible impacts of lethal gas in certain area around Goma city, and the large number of reported and forecasted mass movements, as well as site-specific seismic amplification effects increase the danger at local scale.

GeoRisCA assessment will take the form of dynamic maps and databases based on a comprehensive methodology.

The local and regional authorities, as well as local and international stakeholders, will benefit from essential documents to (1) develop more efficient disaster response mechanisms and (2) help them improve land planning and the implementation of development programs.

Specific objectives:

(1) contribute to a better assessment of the targeted geohazards at regional scale and in specific areas, such as urban context;

(2) evaluate the global vulnerability of populations to these geohazards, a study which has never been undertaken in that region, although more than 3 millions of people live in the region under study;

(3) develop a risk assessment methodology, which will allow to rapidly obtain a updated risk portrait of a specific area when needed;

(4) deliver a series of regional and local risk maps presenting a large number of hazards and vulnerability indicators that should help decision-making;

(5) enforce risk management processes through communication of the results with existing preparedness and mitigation institutions, as well as authorities and other concerned organisations.

For additional information, please visit: http://georisca.africamuseum.be/en/home