According to the official report, the volcanic eruption on May 22 killed more than 30 people, destroyed more than 3,000 houses, and affected health centers and schools in Goma and its environs. Among the affected neighborhoods is Buhene, on the outskirts of Nyiragongo’s territory. The damage there is enormous.
Almost two weeks after the volcanic eruption, lava is still smoking in parts of Buhene. The whitish vapor escapes from these forming rocks and the stifling heat invades the atmosphere.
Hard to stay long in the area.
Almost half of the block was destroyed by the flow of these molten rocks. Among the houses that have been removed are Faustin’s houses. “My house was where there is this pit that still emits the flame. I had a fenced house and cattle in the pen. Everything is burned. I lost everything, he testifies.
Apart from the houses, schools have been demolished to the ground. “It was the Patmos school, up there, everything is burnt down. There was also Mazingira Hospital still up there, everything is gone. “According to Unicef, six schools were completely destroyed here in Nyiragongo’s territory.
For Faustin, the priority is to find a new home and what he should feed his children daily. “We live like mice. We lack what to do. Sometimes I take advantage of the generosity of people who can give me either 500 francs or 1000 francs to feed my children ”.
The lava stretches for several kilometers. This part of Buhene is completely unrecognizable. Will the houses be rebuilt? Will the population be relocated? The authorities have not yet decided.
