Relief Workers Mobilize to Aid Thousands Fleeing Volcanic Eruption in the Congo

Catholic Relief Services
Friday, 18 January 2002

The city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is without electricity and water, and thousands have left the city, which is divided in two by lava flows following yesterday's eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, according to staff reports from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS continues to assess the immediate needs of those fleeing the fiery volcanic lava flows, to position relief supplies, and to work with local church partners and other relief organizations in an effort to respond to the emergency.

"CRS staff from our offices in The DRC, Rwanda and Burundi have been working together around the clock to develop an assistance plan for the most severe emergency cases," said Ken Hackett, CRS Executive Director. "We are coordinating action with the local church and other organizations in response to this population movement."

One team of CRS personnel traveled by road Gisenyi, the border town in Rwanda where many refugees fled to safety, to assess the emergency and the road conditions. Gisenyi lacks both water and sanitation facilities and is itself reported to be in the path of lava flows. The CRS office in Burundi is ready to move non-food items such as plastic sheeting, clothes and blankets to the area as the need arises. Meanwhile, it has been raining heavily and the need for potable water seems to be the number one priority as the risk for cholera is high.

Yesterday, CRS allocated an initial $50,000 to assist the people who live in and around the town of Goma and neighboring Rwanda who are forced to evacuate.

Mount Nyiragongo, known as one of Africa's most active volcanoes, is situated in the town of Goma in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Rwanda. The last activity at Nyiragongo dates back to 1994. In early January, an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck the area near the volcano, which prompted local volcanologists to schedule a surveillance mission for this Saturday.

Massive eruptions spewed lava in different directions down the flanks of the volcano. One stream headed straight towards Goma and clearly divided the town into two by a black track of lava flowing into Lake Kivu with small fires burning along the edges.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org