22nd May 2022, Mount Nyiragongo

One year ago today, Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano located in the southern sector of Virunga National Park, erupted for the first time in nearly two decades. The resulting lava flow left a trail of destruction and catastrophic consequences for the people of Goma, a city of nearly 2 million inhabitants, many of whom live in extreme poverty under the shadow of years of conflict and instability.

It is estimated that over 30 people lost their lives in the eruption, while many more lost their homes and livelihoods: several hundreds homes were reduced to ashes and the electricity and drinking water distribution network were destroyed, leaving millions of people without access to safe drinking water and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power.

In the immediate aftermath of the eruption, Virunga National Park mobilised its network and resources to provide life-saving assistance to as many people as possible. Working closely with partners, including La Lucha, Goma Actif and the Uhuru Knowledge Center, we supported the distribution of food and other essentials to some of the most vulnerable, reaching over 1,000 people in desperate need.