The human cost of the volcanic eruption in DR Congo

May 31st

THE recent volcanic eruption In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Nyiragoingo, one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, has caused a humanitarian crisis with 32 dead and hundreds injured or missing.

Lava that poured into the lakeside city of Goma, home to 2 million people in the east of the country, destroyed entire villages, razing more than 500 houses and destroying a primary school, three health centers and a water pipe. Thousands of residents in the region have fled, fearing that the phenomenon will happen again. More than 100 children are missing and nearly 280,000 people now risk being displaced who can change their lives due to seismic activity according to UNICEF.

This brought back memories of 2002 eruption which killed 250 people and left more than 100,000 others homeless.

The current situation is aggravated by the destruction of roads by lava, making it difficult to transport humanitarian aid products.

This event took place in an area where around 280,000 people displaced by conflict rely on aid. The eruption comes as the country grapples with decades of armed conflict that has devastated livelihoods and displaced more than 2 million people. This, coupled with COVID-19 situationhas exhausted the country’s resources and thousands of citizens are cross to neighboring countries like Rwanda.

As humanitarian agencies and governments step up efforts to offer support, the safety of residents, including children, must be a priority as they struggle to come to terms with the disruption in their lives.

Furthermore, appropriate mechanisms must be instituted to promote a better response to future eruptions.