Reference :
V-P-CD-E-02866
Date :
23/05/2021
Caption :
North Kivu province, Goma. Displaced persons who fled their homes after the Nyiaragongo volcano erupted walk across a lava field.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
The Nyiragongo volcano erupted again on the 22nd of May 2021, causing a lava flow that stopped at the city gates. As a result of the damage caused, many people were injured and around 7,000 people fled towards the border with Rwanda, and 17,000 towards the town of Sake.
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"Fearing another eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), thousands of people are fleeing the city of Goma and its surroundings. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has temporarily relocated part of its teams to Bukavu and Minova, and with its partners in the Red Cross Movement, remains mobilized to meet the most urgent needs in Goma and the surrounding area.
"Even though the eruption of May 22 is over, the gasses released by the volcano are still a threat to Goma's residents. Earthquakes continue to rattle the region, exposing the population to further risk, and it is difficult to specify the extent of the humanitarian needs. "The threat of another eruption is still real and the fear palpable. Earthquakes are still felt every five minutes in the city," said Raphaël Tenaud, ICRC operations manager in Goma.
"On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, the exodus of thousands of people began towards the town of Sake in the west following the announcement of the evacuation of part of the city by the authorities due to the risks associated with seismic and volcanic movements.
"Around 2 a.m., the families started heading for the port. The streets are full of people and there is a wave of panic, some with vivid memories of the eruptions and destruction of 2002. People are seeking safety, but some are also afraid to abandon their homes.
(...)
"Thousands of displaced people are seeking water, shelter, basic necessities, hygiene items and food. With the main road running north from Goma now cut off and all the very fertile cultivated land in that part of the city destroyed, it is likely that the city's residents will suffer food shortages in the days to come."
Source: ICRC website, press release 28/05/2021
Resolution :
5184x3456
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
