UNICEF Says At Least 25,000 People Displaced After Volcano Eruption In DRC

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Sunday said at least 25,000 people have been displaced following Mt. Nyiragongo’s eruption in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday night.

In a statement, UNICEF said more than 150 children have been separated from their families and more than 170 children are feared to be missing as hundreds of people fled the Goma city following the eruption.

Mt. Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted and forced more than 5,000 residents in North Kivu’s Goma to take shelter in neighboring Rwanda on Saturday night.

“At least 25,000 were displaced in Sake, 25 km (15.5 miles) north-west of Goma,” UNICEF said.

It added that most people are slowly heading back to their home since the lava has stopped flowing on Sunday morning.

“It is not yet clear how many households have been affected by the eruption in the Nyiragongo Territory, north of Goma. Scores of children in the area near Goma’s airport have been left homeless and destitute,” according to the statement.

The UNICEF statement added that at least five deaths were reported directly related to the volcanic eruption in Buhene, Kibatshi and Kibumba.

During an emergency meeting on Sunday, the DRC authorities decided to evacuate the population from the red zone to more secured areas.

Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said a government delegation was immediately sent to the affected area to provide support to the provincial authorities in order to deal with humanitarian emergencies.

Provincial authorities also reported a number of minor earthquakes in Goma. They urged the people to remain vigilant, avoid non-essential movements and follow directions.

Mt.  Nyiragongo volcano is located nearby Goma city and about 17 km north of Rubavu. At least 250 people were killed when the volcano last erupted in 2002. The eruption left 120,000 homeless.