Earthquakes Demolished More Than 2000 Buildings In Rubavu Alone, Local NGO Intervenes

Rubavu district has through its development partners extended a helping hand to citizens who were affected by the recent Nyiragongo volcanic eruption.

The unprecedented eruption which occurred on May 23, 2021 in Goma town in DR Congo, left groups of both Congolese and Rwandan citizens displaced from the property and in fright of their lives as magma flowed in nearby settlements.

Rubavu district, which neighbors with DRC on the Bukavu border was particularly affected with an eruption aftermath of volcanic dust clouds and two weeks consecutive tremors, earthquakes which left cracks in public roads, health facilities, homes and a standstill in cross- border business operations which are the heart beat of the border town.

This was also followed by a subsequent emergency evacuation of hundreds of families as experts predicted severe consequences and possible threats to human life.

To extend humanitarian support to persons who were forced to abandon their business activities, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and district officials yesterday donated foods and personal hygiene equipment to the affected families as a way of enabling their recovery at a time when on ground reports indicate that life is resuming back to normal.

The food items and hygiene equipment worth over Rwf21m included: maize flour, rice, beans, cooking, soaps, face masks, sanitary pads among others.

On behalf of AHF Country Director Dr. Brenda Asiimwe Kateera, Nteziryayo, the AHF prevention Programs Manager said that the donations are a humanitarian action to support the district to feed the affected groups including providing personal protection and hygiene equipment as part of Covid-19 prevention outreach under the looming pandemic.

Joel Nzarusaza, one of the beneficiaries in Gisenyi sector said that when the volcano abruptly erupted it left his family in disarray and unprepared for the subsequently consequences which including evacuating their home.

“The eruption and tremors destroyed our home and we spent nights sleeping outside with no food since I couldn’t continue with doing business. I now feel safe that now I can feed my family,” Nzarusaza said.

As the situation is stabilizing, with the air reportedly clean, many affected residents have been reported as returning to daily routine and with food and hygiene needs covered, they are expected to recover fully.