Volcano Erupts in Eastern DRC

Last Saturday a volcano erupted in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The eruption has put the 2 million residents of the city of Goma at risk. The region is in the middle of a civil war. Local people have to choose between fleeing the volcano or putting themselves in risk of attack by armed groups.

By ACN Staff

Refugees in Butembo-Beni, Eastern DRC. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

On Saturday 22 May, the Nyirangongo volcano erupted. The volcano is located in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The close by city of Goma has begun to be evacuated. Earth movements and threats of another eruption has put two million inhabitants of Goma at risk.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) managed to speak with one of our Church partners, Fr. Arsene Masumbuko, who is the rector of the St. John Paul II Seminary in Buhimba. ACN provides support to the 29 seminarians and the 6 priests who teach in the seminary. Fr. Arsene said the following:

“I ask for prayers for the population of Goma and for our seminarians. We still don't know if we will have to evacuate the seminary. The serious danger is that there could be an explosion in the lake, where there is gas, that would endanger everything in an area of ​​20 kilometers. That is why we are waiting to receive more information and to be able to make a decision. I am in permanent contact with the vice-rector to decide what to do."

The situation for the citizens of Goma is very difficult. Goma is located in North Kivu in eastern DRC. There is currently a civil war in the region, which has forced countless people from their homes. Many feel that the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, is unable to provide adequate protection to civilians in the region.

Fr. Arsene explains the difficulty local people find themselves in:

“The first dilemma is whether to evacuate or not, but if we evacuate the next question is where to go and especially how to get there, because security outside of Goma is very fragile. There are armed groups that take advantage of this situation to attack and assault people. The situation is chaotic. MONUSCO has already left and has left us alone. There are no precise indications, people are informed by social networks, Facebook or WhatsApp and contradictory messages are given. It is really a drama. I ask you to support us with your prayers."

Please join us in prayer that the seminarians and priests will be kept safe, and the current crisis may pass so that local people can continue with their lives.