DR Congo: Volcanic eruption in Goma

According to a report produced by OCHA DRC in collaboration with humanitarian partners covering the period of 31 May 20211, until 4pm (Goma time).

• More than 232,400 displaced persons in Sake, Rutshuru, Lubero, Minova and Bukavu

• 35 suspected cases of cholera in the health zone of Kirotshe

• Food assistance to displaced people is underway

• 1,361 unaccompanied children as a result of the volcanic eruption, including 858 children who have already been reunited

• Water assistance remains urgent

The Goma Volcano Observatory (OVG) announced on 31 May that the possibility of an eruption on land or under the lake has not been ruled out and recommended that the population stay away from lava flows. The provincial authorities of North Kivu also asked the population to remain vigilant, and to strictly follow the measures adopted. The tremors are less noticeable, however, the Rwanda Seismic Monitor recorded a tremor of magnitude 4.2 on 30 May at 11.13pm.

The national Minister of Transport, Communication and Opening up announced on 30 May that conditions for the reopening of air traffic at Kavumu airport in Bukavu are satisfactory. Goma airport remains closed and under surveillance.

Some banks that have not been operational since 27 May in the city of Goma have reopened and are now offering a minimum service to their clients.

In Goma, In coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF is also supporting the rehabilitation of the water network in Goma.

Following the Nyiragongo volcano eruption, 1,361 unaccompanied children have been identified by UNICEF in coordination with the Division of Social Affairs, the DRC Red Cross and the NGO Change the World. 858 children have already been reunited with their families, while 332 are living with host families and in temporary host centres.

As of 31 May, local authorities report the following numbers of displaced persons:

Number of IDPs (31/05/2021)

Sake Concentration Zone

Kirotshe health zone 62 802

Rutshuru Concentration Zone

Rutshuru health zone 52 650

Lubero Concentration Zone

Kayina health zone 10 555

Minova Concentration Zone

Kalehe health zone 13 473

Minova health zone 53 345

Total 66 818

Bukavu Concentration Zone

Idjwi health zone 8 747

Kadutu health zone 12 669

Katana health zone 4 320

Miti Murhesa health zone 3 011

Kabare health zone 4 224

Ruzizi health zone 1 879

Uvira health zone 4 758

Total 39 608

Grand total 232 433

Source : local authoritites

In Sake, in Multi-sectoral response activities are currently underway in the Kirotshe health zone, and humanitarian partners continue to strengthen their response. 

Interventions to provide food assistance to displaced people are underway. 

UNHCR has strengthened the protection monitoring mechanism in the area. The NGO INTERSOS referred 11 unaccompanied children to the organization War Child for care.

The nutrition cluster noted the high vulnerability of unaccompanied children as well as pregnant and lactating women in the area. It recommended activating and promoting infant and young child feeding activities. The nutrition cluster also recommended paying attention to the care of cases of malnutrition within the functional health structures. 

With the support of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Sake referral health center offers free care to populations but are at risk of being quickly overloaded. According to the nurse in charge of this facility, medical consultations have increased from 25 to more than 300 per day since the arrival of the displaced. It is necessary for humanitarian actors working in the health sector to support other health centers with inputs, particularly for the people displaced following the Nyiragongo volcano eruption. 

According to the Zone Chief Physician (MCZ), the priority are the health centers Kaduki, Shasha, Kihindo, Bweremana, Nzulo and the general reference hospital of Kirotshe.

According to the MCZ of Kirotshe, 35 suspected cholera cases have been identified in the Kirotshe health zone. UNICEF has noted a rapid increase in suspected cases since 29 May in the health areas, recording 18 suspected cases in two days. Faced with the movement of people between Goma and Sake, humanitarian actors are mobilizing to prevent a new outbreak in the region. UNICEF has set up 10 water points and installed 12 chlorination points in Sake. Another 55 manual chlorination points have been installed on the Sake-Minova axis.

In Minova, WFP and its partner World Vision International launched a food assistance on 31 May. Nearly 600 displaced people were expected today for this operation, which was organized in eight sites in the Minova health zone.

The NGO ADRA has committed to assist in the relocation of nearly 600 displaced persons who were staying in the premises of the Lwanga School in Minova, in order to allow students to resume classes. 

OCHA facilitated contact with the authorities to identify a potential relocation site.

The NGO ADRA plans to provide essential water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) items to 500 displaced households in the sites in Minova.

In terms of health, there is a high risk of medication shortages in medical facilities due to high demand. 

A significant number of displaced women give birth in the medical facilities.Rutshuru

A small return of displaced populations to Goma has been observed since 28 May in the Rutshuru territory. The main reasons for this return are said to be the difficult conditions in which the displaced are living in Rutshuru territory, the lack of assistance, and reports arriving from Goma stating that the situation has somewhat calmed down.

For several localities in the Rutshuru territory, drinking water services are currently insufficient. With the arrival of displaced people, there is a risk of an explosion of waterborne diseases. MSF supports three medical structures in Kibumba, Kiwanja and Rutshuru and provides water supply in two areas where displaced people are gathered.

Interventions to provide food assistance to displaced persons are underway.

Armed men kidnapped a displaced child on 28 May in the city of Kiwanja. This region has been plagued by kidnapping for several years. Many displaced persons in the area fear being targeted by armed men, according to the NGO INTERSOS.

Four senators from Kinshasa visited the OCHA office in Goma to inquire about the humanitarian situation and discuss the response in coordination with the government. 

Coordination meetings in the sites in Sake, Minova, and Rutshuru have been set up.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor