by Halcyon Martin
Comfort Congo Seek Emergency Aid Following The Nyiragongo Eruption
Nyiragongo
On Saturday 22nd of May 2021 Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s deadliest volcanoes and situated to the north of the city of Goma in D.R.Congo, erupted killing more than thirty people and making thousands more homeless. The lava from Nyiragongo is notoriously fast flowing leaving little time for escape. On this occasion the lava moved eastwards and then south stopping just short of the city boundary and the airport, but destroying homes and farmland, relied upon for food and income for many families, on the way.
Subsequent tremors, leading to gaping cracks in the ground and causing the collapse of buildings in Goma and across the border in Rwanda, continued all week. The looming threat of further, potentially more devastating, eruptions and seismic activity has left many in a state of fear and uncertainty. Evacuation of the 10 most-at-risk districts of the city was ordered on Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of people carrying what they could and heading by road across the border to Rwanda, towards Sake in D.R.Congo or by boat across Lake Kivu.
One of the major concerns is that a new eruption may occur under or close to the edge of Lake Kivu causing an overturn of the deep lake water which is rich in dissolved methane and CO2. This would cause a sudden release of large quantities of CO2 which would instantly kill all people and animals at lower elevations around the lake. So evacuation to higher areas is key.
Comfort Congo
For our partners, Comfort Congo, this order has led to the evacuation of hundreds project members including Children of Liberty (ex-child soldiers), Comfort Babies Congo, Heshima, rape survivors and the closing of all of the Comfort Congo schools. They have asked if we can provide support for emergency shelter and food for those who have been displaced.
The headteacher of one of the Comfort Congo schools sent us these pictures of the evacuation.
Thousands of people have also left Goma on foot.
Contaminated Water
Another problem is contaminated water. Gases rising from the vents and fissures contaminate the rain causing it to become dangerous and people are being urged not to use the rainwater for cooking and cleaning. Clean water is in increasingly short supply.
Of particular issue for Comfort Congo is the large number of people now presenting at the hospital outpost at Kyezye. The lack of clean water is increasing the incidence of disease and many people, without any money have been arriving at the Comfort Congo Health Post at Kyezye (below) seeking medicine for what appear to be water-borne diseases. The Central Hospital Rusayu, run by Comfort Congo, has also been preparing for an increase in admissions.
Further Issues
A further, serious consequence of the evacuation is the rise in looting and violence, especially towards women and children. The risk of kidnap and sexual assault increases dramatically at a time when the most vulnerable are already at grave risk.
Please pray for protection for all.
If you are able to give to the Emergency Appeal to help provide emergency relief such as food, shelter and medicines please visit our giving page.