At least 31 dead and thousands displaced after volcano eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN Refugee Agency says
Hundreds of children are feared to be missing and thousands of people fled their homes after Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted 12 km north of the town Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 22 May.
Speaking to journalists at the United Nations in Geneva, Boris Cheshirkov, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that “according to authorities, 32 people died in incidents linked to the eruption, including seven people killed by lava and five asphyxiated by gases”. Cheshirkov added that “led by the Red Cross, a significant effort is underway to reunite several hundred children who were separated from their families as they fled”.
The lava flow stopped on Sunday, but there have been repeated earthquakes since the eruption. The Mount Nyiragongo volcano, among the world’s most active and dangerous volcanoes, last erupted in 2002, killing 250 people and making more than 100,000 homeless.
Following a joint evaluation together with the government of the DRC and other humanitarian agencies to assess the damage on Sunday, UNHCR said that the volcano’s destruction path has been seen clearly.
“Two villages on Goma’s northern tip were destroyed and two others were almost completely covered by lava”, Mr. Cheshirkov said. “Our staff have heard testimonies from families who lost their homes, and from others who lost children and other loved ones. Entire neighborhoods have been left without any electricity and there are fears of water shortages”.
UNICEF reported that more than 150 children have been separated from their families amid the chaos and more than 170 children are feared to be missing. With water and electricity shortages, the children’s agency fears the risk of spreading cholera.
Another challenge is the destruction of the road which has led to the disruption of transportation of goods.
“The road leading to northern parts of North Kivu province is also damaged by lava, which will hamper the transport of food and goods to the area around Beni, where some 280,000 people displaced by conflict and insecurity since January 2021 rely on humanitarian aid”, UNHCR’s spokesperson said.
UNHCR is preparing to assist those in need of shelter and relef items in the Goma area in coordination with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, and in support of the government’s emergency response.
Mr. Cheshirkov stressed that “funding is urgently needed to help us assist those affected. UNHCR has received just 17 per cent of the US$204.8 million needed for our operations in the DRC”. UNHCR’s spokesperson added that “this latest disaster comes on top of the over 2 million people already displaced by brutal violence in North Kivu province, of which Goma is the capital. This year alone, 450,000 people have been forced to flee their homes”.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
Institutionalised forced labour by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea constitutes grave violations of human rights – UN report
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
Time is running out for starving civilians in Sudan, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday, while talks involving the country’s warring parties continue in Geneva this week.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
DRC faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 25M in need and rising conflict-related issues.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA
A gimmer of good news emerged from Gaza on Tuesday as patients returned to at a newly reopened UN health centre in Khan Younis, six months after it was severely damaged and forced to close by heavy fighting, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN condemns attacks on Kyiv hospitals, calls for immediate action to protect civilians.
1
1
2
Edited News | WHO
In Gaza, soaring temperatures, hunger and unsanitary conditions present an ever more deadly threat to a population under constant attack, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WMO , IFRC
Hurricane Beryl smashes into Caribbean, turns sights on Mexico As Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path shifted to Mexico on Friday after roiling the Caribbean, UN agencies and partners said that the emergency response was underway, before warning that a very long and damaging hurricane season looks increasingly likely.
1
1
2
Edited News | IOM , mcc , UNHCR
Refugees and migrants continue to face extreme forms of violence, exploitation and death on sea and on land across Africa as they attempt to leave the continent, UN agencies said on Friday, in an appeal to border authorities to do more to protect them.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk at the 56th Human Rigths Council, made the following update on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , WHO
New evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for areas in southern Gaza are expected to impact 250,000 people, including eastern Khan Younis and Rafah, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , WHO
Gaza: People are desperate, they need everything, says UN aid agency Panic and desperation now grip ordinary Gazans struggling to survive, UN humanitarians said on Friday, amid fuel shortages of fuel and dwindling supplies that have prevented aid teams from doing their job.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
UN aid teams and partner organizations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies into Gaza, despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organization’s top aid official said on Wednesday.