Care of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma, DRC-1
Care of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma, DRC-2
Care of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma, DRC-3
Care of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma, DRC-4
Context

On May 22, 2021, the city of Goma was affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano located 19 km from the capital of the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lava flow and seismic tremors led to the death of 32 people, the damage of about twenty villages, the destruction of nearly 4,000 homes, 12 schools and 3 health facilities.

While the evacuation of Goma has caused the displacement of 450,000 people, among the 600,000 inhabitants of the city, nearly 233,000 people have reached the localities of Sake, Rutshuru, Lubero, Minova and Bukavu, including nearly 1,400 unaccompanied children.

UNICEF also estimated that more than 280,000 children were likely to be directly affected by the disaster. Faced with the massive influx of displaced persons, the reception structures of these localities (schools, places of worship, community centres) faced needs for water, hygiene and sanitation, food, health and basic necessities. Due to supply problems and increased demand in host localities, food prices doubled in a matter of days. In Goma, more than half of the population had not access to water. UNHCR estimated that 350,000 people were in need of emergency humanitarian assistance in Goma. 

Present in Goma since 2017, AMADE has set up the AMANI pavilion dedicated to maternal and child health within the Heal Africa Hospital, the main hospital in the city. AMADE is also at the origin of the training center for social capoeira in partnership with Gingando pela Paz  DRC association.

This center trains educators from the main child protection structures in Goma to take care of vulnerable children (children demobilized from armed forces and groups, children in street situations, children victims of sexual violences) using social capoeira. These field partners drawn up a state of needs in terms of food, provision of basic necessities and psychosocial care for children accompanied by these two structures.

Completed activities

Support for the management of cases of severe acute malnutrition of children from affected families in Nyiragongo: 195 children are taking care by Heal Africa teams on an outpatient basis in Heal Africa's partner health centers and at the Heal Africa hospital. The activities are supervised by 2 nutritionists from Heal Africa in collaboration with those from partner health zones. 12 health care providers and 15 community relays are trained.

 

Food support and distribution of basic necessities:

Gigando Pela Paz has identified 130 children in vulnerable situations among its partner structures. Their needs are covered for 1 month through the distribution of water, food and basic necessities.

 

Post-traumatic accompaniment of vulnerable children:

Considering the expertise acquired by ACAY with vulnerable young people (young girls victims of violence, minors in conflict with the law) in the Philippines, a transfer of expertise between ACAY and Gigando Pela Paz will strengthen the quality of their interventions with their respective target audience.

 

Results

195 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition have been taken care by Heal Africa teams (180 on an outpatient basis in partner health centres and 15 in Heal Africa hospital).

130 children in vulnerable situations have benefited from food care and necessities (hygiene kits including periodic protection and clothing).

 

 

Emergency / Post-Emergency

Care of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma, DRC

  • Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The

    GOMA

  • Project status

    Completed

  • Duration

    2021

  • Funding

    35 505 €

  • Beneficiaries

    195 malnourished childre in Nyiragongo halth zone 

    130 chrildren and tennagers accompanied by the social capoeira center 

  • Partners

    Hael Africa 

    Gigando Pela Paz 

  • Objectives

    Respond to the needs of children affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano supported by Heal Africa and Gigando Pela Paz in Goma.

    Respond to the nutritional emergency for 195 children in situations of severe acute malnutrition.

    Support the food and psychosocial care of vulnerable children benefiting from the social capoeira training center.