A little more than two weeks after the eruption of the volcano Nyiragongo, life begins to resume in Goma and its surroundings, but the damage is still visible both in the city, where the cracks are felt in some places and around Goma. Part of Virunga National Park still has the scars of the lava flow. This park is presented as the protected area that contains the richest biodiversity in Africa.
With our special correspondent in Kibati, Patient Ligodi
Kibati, about twenty kilometers from Goma. The trees that stretched for several kilometers and hid the base of Nyiragongo no longer exist. They were consumed by the lava river that escaped from a large fissure on the northeastern flank of the volcano.
The Tumaini field and his parents were also destroyed. “That day we had an escape and we took shelter behind the hill you see over there. There is a military position here. There was also a field in the corner. Right here, 16 houses were destroyed ”.
Jean-Pierre returns to Kibati two weeks after the outbreak. He does not recognize this place either. “Here we are in Kibati, in the park. It used to be a forest. Here was a paved road, now we are here as in a desert ”.
Other infrastructure was also destroyed, such as the high-voltage line that supplies part of Goma with electricity. The park teams quickly gathered and put this electricity back on. They also provided transportation, food and shelter to displaced people in Goma.
However, no decision has yet been taken on the resumption of tourist activities.
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