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UNICEF: 280,000 children in DRC face displacement over volcanic eruption
UNICEF has warned that as many as 400,000 people, including 280,000 children could be displaced and in need of protection or support in the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The warning comes after authorities advised people living in the city to vacate their homes due to the risk of another volcanic eruption following the eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo over the weekend. Inhye Sung, UNICEF’s Emergency Specialist in the DRC joins CNBC Africa for more.
Fri, 28 May 2021 14:22:27 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- UNICEF warns of potential displacement of 280,000 children and 400,000 people in Goma, DRC, in the aftermath of volcanic eruptions and evacuation orders.
- Critical shortages of safe water, destruction of schools, and family separations underscore the urgent humanitarian needs in the region.
- Immediate priorities for UNICEF include providing clean water sources, facilitating family reunifications, and addressing the looming risk of cholera outbreaks amidst mass displacement.
UNICEF has issued a dire warning that a significant number of people, including 280,000 children, may be displaced and in desperate need of protection and support in the city of Goma, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This caution comes in the wake of authorities advising residents to evacuate their homes due to the looming threat of another volcanic eruption subsequent to the recent eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo over the past weekend. Inhye Sung, an Emergency Specialist with UNICEF in the DRC, provided critical insights and updates on the current situation in Goma during an interview with CNBC Africa. Sung highlighted the devastating impact of the volcanic eruptions and subsequent evacuations, expressing particular concerns about the estimated 400,000 people, including a significant number of children, who are facing displacement and the dire humanitarian consequences that have arisen as a result. The situation on the ground remains extremely precarious, with tens of thousands of individuals lacking access to safe water, schools destroyed, and families separated in the chaos of the evacuation process. Sung noted that despite efforts to reunite missing children with their families, approximately 1,000 children remain unaccounted for, underlining the urgency of the situation. Schools have been severely affected, disrupting educational opportunities for children, and the risk of cholera outbreak looms large over the displaced population. The mass exodus resulting from the evacuation orders has strained resources in Goma, with makeshift arrangements in place as people seek shelter and safety outside their homes. Sung emphasized the critical need for immediate intervention, particularly in ensuring access to clean water and reuniting separated families, as top priorities for UNICEF's response efforts. The organization has called for urgent funding of approximately $5 million to address the pressing needs on the ground. While concerns persist regarding the potential for another volcanic eruption from Mount Nyiragongo, Sung indicated that experts are closely monitoring the situation to assess and mitigate risks. Collaborating closely with the government, UNICEF is coordinating efforts across various sectors such as education, health, and child protection to provide vital support to affected populations. Looking ahead, Sung highlighted the medium to long-term challenges that the community in Goma is likely to face, including the arduous task of rebuilding infrastructure, restoring social services, and safeguarding against health threats like COVID-19 and cholera outbreaks. With the vulnerability of the population in Goma exacerbated by the recent crisis, sustained efforts will be needed to mitigate the lasting impact of the disaster and prevent further humanitarian crises in the region. Sung reiterated the importance of reinforcing surveillance and preventive measures against infectious diseases in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by outbreaks such as COVID-19 and cholera.
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