Rwanda Appeal: Nyiragongo Eruption and Earthquakes
The Outreach Foundation received this information from Rev Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, EPR President regarding the effects of the volcanic eruption and earthquakes in Rwanda:
Nyiragongo, one of eight regional volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, started erupting around 6:00 p.m. on May 22, 2021. This eruption caused people in Goma (DRC) to panic and flee to Rwanda, mainly to the Rubavu District. Consequently, the people of the Gisenyi (Rubavu) region have been strongly affected by the volcanic eruption.
The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR) President and his team visited Rubavu District to see what was happening in the field and to meet refugees from Congo. The refugees described what happened in their words and shared some pictures taken during the Nyiragongo eruption:
On the evening of May 22, the city of Goma fell under a huge panic related to the volcanic eruption on the north side of the city. Around 6:00 p.m. the population of Kibati county was surprised by a lava flow from the Nyiragongo volcano on the Virunga National Park side, heading towards the Congo-Rwanda border…around 8:00 p.m., the population of Goma saw a great light and fire over the Nyiragongo volcano.
Around 9:00 p.m., people were alerted by the provincial authority that the Nyiragongo volcano would erupt and that they would provide guidance in case the situation worsened. The lava flow that was moving with high pressure passed through villages in the territory of Nyiragongo. Faced with the danger, the Provincial Government organized the evacuation of residents to safe locations.
Effects of Nyiragongo eruption and earthquakes
The lava covered 17 villages and killed dozens of people.
Two thousand houses have been destroyed. The families are living outside, and consequently, they need food and shelter.
Thousands of people are displaced from Rubavu to other districts.
Four (4) schools destroyed cannot be used within the current scholarly year.
The earthquakes have stopped all activities and consequently paralyzed lives in all sectors.
The lava covered 17 villages and the fields of plants causing hunger and famine.
Psychological problems and trauma have increased due to the earthquakes and fear as people have experienced the destruction of houses and roads in their presence.
The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) is raising a call to any organization to support the refugees' lives and affected families in Rubavu districts.
Visit the Outreach website, www.theoutreachfoundation.org, to read the full letter from Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, EPR President. In response, The Outreach Foundation is seeking support for the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda to aid those who have been affected.