CONGO: School closed due to soil erosion threat

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BRAZZAVILLE, 7 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Some 504 Emerald Primary School students, in the northwest of Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, have been transferred to another school because of soil erosion that has created a huge chasm near their classrooms, the school's management said.

"Less than a metre separates the classrooms from the chasm. If we are not careful, this building is going to collapse," Christian Mouzoma, the school's director-general, said on Monday.

"We ask the local authorities to do something about this situation because when the rains come, learning and administrative activities at our school will be suspended," he added.

The breach threatening the school and surrounding homes was caused by heavy rains that pounded Brazzaville lately. Emerald has already lost a large chunk of its wall. Segments of at least five roads leading to the school have been washed away.

"We have appealed to the government, but it remains unmoved," Mouzuma said.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity, Family and Humanitarian Action, the heavy rains left three people homeless in the northern neighbourhoods of Brazzaville between December and January.

The rains caused flooding, soil erosion and silting. Because of this, around 450 families - around 4,500 people - left the area in December 2005. In January 70 more people were displaced.

The Brazzaville region experienced a short dry spell in January, which is expected to continue till the end of March. The rains are due again in April.

The minister in charge of humanitarian affairs has ordered investigators to the affected areas to map out high risk areas and draw a contingency plan to reduce the effects caused by the disaster.

[ENDS]