Danger of more magma eruptions persist

Vulcanologists have confirmed that further magma eruptions are possible throughout the Goma region, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lower Gisenyi, in neighbouring Rwanda, to which some 250,000 people fled following the eruption of Mt Nyiragongo on 17 January, was still at risk, as well as Goma town, where an estimated 500,000 people live, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Friday.

Unlike last week’s evacuation, when the majority of Goma's inhabitants fled to Gisenyi, just across the border, future evacuees should seek higher ground inside Rwanda, to the east, or at Sake in western Congo, the agency added.

"The residents of Goma must not be lulled into a false sense of security, despite assurances given regarding the harmlessness of gases and the relative stability of the overall situation," the agency warned.

One vulcanologist said he would advise against rebuilding Goma at its present location, due to the danger of further eruptions. However, he and other colleagues concurred that they could only offer scientific advice. Politicians, they said, would have to take the decision on an evacuation.

The scientists confirmed that the ash observed in Goma on Wednesday was most likely from the collapse of the inner crater of Mt Nyiragongo. They said the continuing earth tremors were due to gases, fluid magma moving underground; magma mixing with the underground water table; and activity deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Gases detected in Goma, they said, were from decomposing bio-matter trapped within the hardening lava; petrol stations buried under the lava; and work crews cutting passages through the crusted surface lava. Investigations into the gases and the crater of Mt Nyiragongo, however, were ongoing, they said.

OCHA confirmed on Friday that two access routes had been opened through hardened lava in Goma and that a third passage was due to be completed by the end of the day.

A representative from the World Food Programme (WFP) also confirmed that Thursday’s food distributions had proceeded better than in the previous day, when aid workers encountered logistical difficulties. Passageways opened through the lava had greatly facilitated the deliveries, a spokesperson said. WFP added that it foresaw a three-month emergency operation for 400,000 beneficiaries, with an evaluation after one month to determine whether refinements were necessary.

OCHA confirmed on Friday that 50 percent of Goma’s water network was now operational and that aid agencies had positioned bladders in areas not currently served by the network.

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) is continuing efforts to reunite families separated by the disaster. At least 200 parents had approached the organisation, looking for children, the IFRCS reported on Friday. OCHA said that by Friday 140 unaccompanied children were reported to be in three Rwandan camps, constructed in the aftermath of the eruption.

A health worker from the IFRCS confirmed that many patients had eye problems and breathing difficulties because of the ash and fumes emitted by the lava covering parts of Goma. The IFRCS said it was delivering basic drugs to five health centres the town.