Fears of humanitarian crisis in DRC following volcanic eruption

Following the eruption of a volcano near the city of Goma in eastern DRC, there are fears of a humanitarian crisis. ACN spoke with Mother Florida Bugagara, who is in Goma, about the current situation.

By ACN Staff

Mount Nyirangongo. (Credit: Nina R)

There are fears of a new humanitarian crisis looming in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This follows the volcanic eruption of Mount Nyirangongo in the east of DRC. The region has been hit by tremors in the aftermath of the eruption, and fears exist that there may be another eruption.

Mother Florida Bugagara. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) spoke with Mother Florida Bugagara, the prioress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Resurrection in the city of Goma on Thursday 27 May. The city of Goma, in the east of DRC, is home to 2 million people. There has been an evacuation of Goma in fear of a further eruption.

Mother Florida describes the situation:

“The people are in danger and in need. We are preparing for the worst. I fear it may develop into a humanitarian crisis. People have fled from Goma into the surrounding countryside. Many are camping on the roadside or in the hills and mountains. They have no shelter and no extra clothing. And there is a lack of food and water as well. I‘m also worried that there could be an outbreak of disease, as a result of the precarious hygiene conditions among those who are fleeing.”

The big concern is that there will be another eruption accompanied by a lava flow. Mother Florida further elaborates:

Goma with Mount Nyiragongo in the background. (Credit: MONUSCO Photos)

“The governor has called on the people to be watchful and ordered those in the most endangered districts to evacuate. But nobody knows where the lava might emerge next, and everyone is running hither and thither chaotically. It is not a good situation… Some of our sisters were also forced to flee. But as a religious community we are above all concerned as to how we can help the people. Some of our sisters are already helping in the refugee camps. The people really have nothing.”

Mother Florida asked ACN’s benefactors to continue their prayers and support for the Suffering Church:

“We appeal to your benefactors to continue supporting ACN so that it can help the needy and disadvantaged people. And we pray to the Lord that he may continue to protect his people and take pity on them. And I ask your benefactors throughout the world to pray for our country, especially for those in the East. On top of all the massacres in our province of North Kivu, we are now facing this natural disaster… Please lift up your voices to the Lord and ask him to avert this catastrophe, for the sake of his great glory.”

ACN has been offering support to the local Church in DRC for decades. Please join us in prayer for the intercession of Our Lady that this crisis may the averted.