Congolese Return to Goma Despite Fears for Their Safety

Date: January 21, 2002

The situation in and around Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, remains chaotic in the wake of the devastation caused by the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. It is estimated that between 400,000-500,000 people were affected by the eruption, although these numbers have not been confirmed. An estimated 250,000-300,000 people made their way across the border into Rwanda on Thursday, January 17. Others fled to the South Kivu-Bukavu area.

As groups of Congolese move deeper into Rwanda as far as Ruhengeri, some 1½ hours drive from Gisenyi, the situation continues to change daily. On Saturday, January 19, approximately 20,000-30,000 people were located in this area. Others had scattered in small groups between the two towns. Although exact numbers are not available, reports indicate that many people have however started returning to Goma to check on their properties and salvage what they can, but that the destruction of the city is so severe that people are finding it difficult to access the areas where they lived.

The assessment team sent by the U.N. and the International Community has yet to conclude its finding on the status of the volcano and the possibility of further eruptions. The safety of the population therefore remains in question. Many of those who have returned to Goma have homes on the far side of the lava flow that according to reports escaped the devastation, but the route across the lava is extremely dangerous as the molten lava may not have hardened sufficiently. It is clear though from the efforts of these Congolese that people wish to return home as soon as possible and that they would prefer not to remain in Rwanda unnecessarily, reports ACT member Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

LWF reports that it is crucial to establish feeding centers and kitchens as soon as possible as people have no way of preparing or cooking food. This crisis is compounded by the fact that there is not enough firewood in the region. Between 10,000 to 20,000 people have sought shelter in the Methodist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches in the Gisenyi area in Rwanda. LWF however reports that there is not enough food and water to provide for such large numbers of people.

ACT members, LWF, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Christian Aid (CAID), and the Council of Protestant Churches in Rwanda (CPR) are co-ordinating their efforts and working together to assess the situation. Church World Service (CWS), also an ACT member, is in discussion with Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) -- a CWS partner agency, about how IMA might assist with emergency health needs in and around Goma.

Getting aid to the affected area remains difficult, as much of Goma, including a sizeable portion of the airport runway and the city's water treatment plants were destroyed by the lava flow.

The Rwandan government has assigned two camps for the refugees from Goma, but according to LWF, people are reluctant to go to the camps.

Tremors were felt as far away as Kigali in Rwanda on Saturday night. Atershocks continue to be felt in and around Goma. Fears have also been expressed that the lava flow into Lake Kivu could poison the water. Click here to learn how to help through UMCOR.

Source: Action by Churches Together, http://www.act-intl.org.

Photo, Top: Refugees fleeing from volcanic eruption in Goma. Bottom: Lava pouring into Lake Kivu. Credit: Thomas van Kampen, ACT International/LWF, Goma, D.R. Congo, January 2002.