BRAZZAVILLE, 12 Mar – Following devastating explosions in a munitions depot in the Congolese capital on 4 March, MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers to help map the needs of those affected. 

Reports indicate that at least 223 people have died in the blasts and a further 2,300 were injured. Approximately 14,000 people have been left homeless, making the provision of shelter, clean water and sanitation a priority. Hygiene is a particular concern as the Republic of Congo typically experiences heavy rainfall and high temperatures at this time of year, making displaced people more vulnerable to outbreaks of disease.

MapAction is deploying at the request of the UN’s Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. It is anticipated that our volunteers will help to coordinate aid efforts, such as mapping the location and needs of blast victims.

This is MapAction’s first mission to the Republic of Congo, our eleventh to sub-Saharan Africa. It is running concurrently with another emergency deployment, helping with the impact of tropical storms on local populations in Madagascar.