The Cameroon Volcanic Gas Disaster - An Analysis of A Makeshift Response

The Cameroon Volcanic Gas Disaster has seen yet again a number of burning issues relating to relief management. These relate to the exxasgerantion and indequacy of facts from the field, media amplification of information, inappropriate and abundant intrnational response and lack of logistic considerations. Disaster relief assessment should continue to be a top priority, no matter who performs it initially. Accurate assessment and immediate and appropriate satisfaction of the needs of victims are imperative if relief actors ar to be hare credibility. For international relief to be effective there is a need to expand existing contacts betwen a stricken government and its foreign counterparts, NGOs and the media. Part of this process includes the participation of resident relief and aid oriented agencies in national relief committees. Greater relief discipline should also outweight donor compassion.