RUBAVU DISTRICT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TREMORS RESULTING FROM THE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

Recently, Nyiragongo eruption, which happened on Saturday, May 22, 2021, had implications in Rwanda and DR Congo. While the full extent of the destruction from the latest volcanic eruption is yet to be ascertained, official report that lava from Nyiragongo eruption damaged hectares of crops in Cyanzarwe Sector of Rubavu District in western Rwanda. Residents also said they woke up Sunday morning only to find plantations of beans, sweet potatoes and banana covered by cooling lava.

The immediate aftermath of Saturday’s eruption, the quakes came in. In Rwanda, the quakes were strongest in Rubavu District and other areas near the Congo border damaging people's properties and infrastructure. In Rubavu town, a long fissure can be seen in the ground traversing residential houses, shops and one road leading to the border with DR Congo. According to official figures, more than 40 houses have been damaged by the earthquakes. The eruption of Nyiragongo comes in addition to the effects of Covid pandemic which continues to negatively impact the whole world in general and the developing countries in particular. The Government of Rwanda, Churches and Humanitarian Organizations should support the affected population to meet their most urgent needs.