Nyirangongo Volcano (one of Africa’s most active volcanoes) ten kilometres
north of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo started erupting
around 05:00 on Thursday 17 January 2002. The molten lava began destroying
dozens of homes in its path on the outskirts of the city causing thousands
of people to flee for safety. Information since received from ACT
members and other sources indicate that the lava flow has cut across
the town destroying everything in its path. Agence France-Presse reports
that the lava flows were up to two metres high.
Thousands of people are said to have fled into Rwanda but the situation
is still unclear as to how many people. Norwegian Church Aid (ACT
NCA) reports from Nairobi that they have been in touch with partners
in Bukavu and are sending a team to work jointly with the Lutheran
World Federation to make an assessment. They report that early
indications show that people are continuing to cross into Rwanda.
Some staff of ACT members Bureau Oecuménique d’Appui au
Développement (BOAD) and Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC)
in Goma town are reported to have been directly affected by the destruction.
ACT members in Rwanda have sent a team to Gisenyi for an assessment.
It is reported that most of the people have fled to Gisenyi and are
currently occupying churches and schools, but the immediate worry
is the non-availability of food. More information will be relayed
to the ACT Co this afternoon after the team has done a preliminary
assessment of the situation.
