DR Congo: Johanniter office in Goma evacuated
Berlin / Goma, 27 May 2021
Another volcanic eruption threatens, tens of thousands on the run
On Thursday early morning, local authorities ordered the evacuation of large parts of Goma due to the threat of another eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano. Since the eruption last Saturday, the entire region has been shaken by strong earthquakes every minute, which have already caused damage to buildings and torn up roads.
Our international team of seven was therefore evacuated to Rwanda yesterday. The remaining 50 national staff members are now on their way with their families to other regions.
"There is chaos in many places. Tens of thousands of people have packed the essentials and are on their way out on foot, by motorcycle or car. No one knows where to find shelter or where it is even safe. No reception camps have been set up yet. No one is prepared to take in so many people immediately," reports Melanie Plöger, senior program manager for Johanniter in Congo.
"Experts fear that in the worst case scenario, underground lava flows will release large amounts of methane in Lake Kivu. That would be the super gau for the region. This is because all oxygen from the air would be extracted and everything living in the vicinity would immediately suffocate," says Florian Meyer, program officer for Congo at Johanniter.
Background:
The volcanic eruption is hitting a country struggling with one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises. More than 27 million people are facing acute food insecurity, according to UN figures. Seven million people are facing famine. The economic problems and socio-economic consequences caused by COVID-19 are compounding the ongoing hardship. Johanniter has been working in the medical field in North Kivu for 27 years. In the past, we have built or rehabilitated more than 20 health posts and regularly support them with medicines, equipment, and staff salaries.