A volcanic eruption from Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday killed at least 32 people and displaced over 25,000 in the city of Goma, forcing at least 8,000 to seek shelter in neighbouring Rwanda. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said that nine died in traffic accidents while fleeing from Goma, while two burned to death and four tried to escape the Munzenze prison in the city. At least 500 homes and 12 villages are said to have been destroyed by the lava.
Furthermore, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that at least 150 children have been “separated from their families and more than 170 children are feared to be missing.” The United Nations’ (UN) peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, has flown reconnaissance flights over the crater and said that it is “closely monitoring the situation.”
Meanwhile, Rwanda also opened its borders to offer refuge. The Rwandan ambassador to the DRC, Vincent Karega, said, “The Rwandan borders are open and the reception of our neighbours is taking place peacefully. There was no blockage whatsoever but rather the organisation of coordinated entries.”
Although there have been continued tremors reported in the area, it appears that the situation has now subsided, and thousands are now returning to their homes.
The last eruption in the country occurred in 2002, when 250 people were killed and 120,000 were left homeless. It appears, however, that the lessons from that event were not learned, as the UN’s radio station, Okapi, said that the volcano had not been monitored for at least seven months and that World Bank funding was halted about a year ago.
In fact, Celestin Kasereka Mahinda, the Scientific Director at the Volcanic Observatory of Goma, said, “The observatory no longer has the support of the central government or of external donors, which explains why the volcanic eruption was such a surprise.” He lamented the suspension of government funding as well as the partnership between the DRC government and the Congolese government, which meant that the Observatory did not even have internet access.
Although the observatory gained funding from the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Disaster Assistance Program last month, this only allows it to “gather data after the eruption.”
This latest eruption has therefore generated heavy criticism of the government’s lack of initiative, planning, and oversight.
Volcanic Eruption at Mount Nyiragongo in DRC Kills 32, Displaces 25,000
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that at least 150 children have been “separated from their families and more than 170 children are feared to be missing.”
May 25, 2021
SOURCE: JUSTIN KABUMBA